Midnight Glow

'Mkays, so, I still don't think this will ever be good, but just so Mr. Admin won't bite my head off about spamming too much, I'll post this. Okies, here you go.


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"Class, this is Arrow Fox. She is our new transfer student. Please make her feel welcome. Arrow, take a seat beside Alexander if you will."

Arrow's dark brown eyes stared up at the teacher.

"And who is Alexander?" asked her quiet voice. The teacher moved back slightly, hearing her speak for the first time since she had arrived earlier that morning.

"H-he's sitting i-in the r-right corner i-in the back." He mentally slapped himself for stuttering. Why did he stutter? He never stuttered.

Arrow slightly inclined her head as if to nod, and started towards the back, smoothly maneuvering around the tables that had been places in neat rows. As she passed, the students stared at her in wonder. Questions ran through their heads. Who was she really? Why was she here? How did she make Mr. Brown stutter?

Arrow had ignored all the questing looks she was receiving. She pulled her chair back and gracefully seated herself beside Alexander, who had been smirking at her the entire time.

"Nice little trick you got there."

"Pardon?" cam her reply.

"Mr. Brown. Can't believe you've already gotten to him. Took me ages to do that."

Arrow raised an eyebrow towards him. His smirk widened.

"Ehem." Arrow and Alexander both whipped their heads towards Mr. Brown.

"Lovely to see that you've made a new friend. Now, can we proceed to today's lesson?"

*******

The bell, a long droning noise, rang out, the students immediately jumped up and ran out the door. Throughout the entire class period, Alexander had irked Arrow.

"So miss leave-me-alone. Watcha gonna do?"

"I am going to my next class, which hopefully will NOT have you in it."

"Really? And what might your next class be?"

"I-" Arrow checked her schedule, "have Advanced English with Mr. Turnage."

"Great!"

"What? Please do not tell me-"

"Oh yeah, I'm in it. Not to mention Josh, Jack, Kai- HEY! Where are you going!"

*******

The bell rang. The class sat silently. Mr. Turnage gave the class one look, and gave an exasperated sigh. He motioned for them to leave. Within seconds, the class had shoved themselves out the door before Mr. Turnage could catch one of them to help clean the gym.

Luckily for Arrow, Alexander didn't have a chance to even speak to her during the two periods. He was located across the room from here, and was working at a furious rate to complete Mr. Turnage's classwork.

The day continued on slowly. Then, as the bell rang for lunch, Arrow stood staring at the cafeteria blankly. Suddenly, someone grabbed her right arm and began dragging her across the room. She was pushed down to one of the seats.

"Glad that you could make it to lunch Princess."

"Oh, is it you again?"

Alexander placed his hand over his heart and mocked sadness. "How could you be so harsh to me Princess? I was the first person you spoke to! I can't believe you would hurt our friendship like this! Oh, the tragedy!"

The group snickered.

"I'm terribly sorry! I didn't realize I hurt you like that! I didn't mean to! I-I..." Arrow broke off, staring down at her lap, her body shaking. "I didn't mean to..." Her voice was quiet.

The group looked at her in shock. Did they just make her cry?

"Oh sh*t. Dude, apologize or something!"

"Why should I? She's faking it." Alexander placed a slender finger under her chin and slowly lifted her face to see it. Her eyes were filled with tears, droplets of it sliding down her cheek at a steady pace. Alexander stepped back, startled. He thought she knew it was a joke.

'H-hey. Are you alright?" he asked, worried.

Arrow sniffed. "W-why do you ask?"

"'Cause you're crying! That's why!"

Suddenly, her sobs halted . She brushed away her tears and looked up at him with wide eyes. "But, I'm not crying. Why would you say that?" She tilted her head to the right and stared at him questioningly.

"You... You..."

Dead silence.

Everyone but Arrow and Alexander roared with laughter.

"Well?" inquired Arrow, her eyes still staring at him.

"I hate you."

"Love you too."

*******

"Man, you actually fell for it!"

"Hey you did too."

"Yeah, but we weren't the ones who made her cry."

One of the boys had his arm draped across Arrows's shoulder, grinning at her. "You're good at this kinda stuff. Think you could teach me?" he asked, winking.

"I highly think not," came her disgruntled reply. She didn't liked to be touched. He had officially crossed the boundary. She needed her space and he wasn't going to let her have any.

"Aw, why not? I bet we could annoy the hell outta anyone."

"No." Her reply was short.

"Come on Princess. Loosen up. No need to be so uptight. Here, I'll even introduce you to the guys."

"I have no need for you to introduce me," stated the one with his arms around Arrow's shoulder. "I think she'll know me pretty well after tonight."

Arrow's eyes widen. Before she could say - or do - anything, she was immediately pulled out of his reached and ended up beside Alexander.

"Nah, I think my way is much better," said Alexander. "Won't scare her."

"Anyways, back to what I was saying. So, Princess, the one I just rescued you from is Jack. The one on his left is Josh. Mike is over there staring at the trees. He's a real nature-lover.

"Jay is the one who just ditched us for that chick over there. His girlfriend you see.

"And finally, Kai. He's not gonna say much to you, even if you get to know him. If you're lucky, you might get him to have a small conversation with you. Never happens much, but we try. Don't we Kai?"

"I guess."

"Well, guess you know everyone. Now come on. Time to go."

*******

The day passed by without incident. As they excited the school, Jack came up behind Arrow and gave a her huge hug. Arrow let out a small scream and started to thrash around.

"Chill. It's just me," chuckled Jack as he pulled her closer to him.

"That's why I started to scream," came her reply. "I'm starting to loose my breath. Could you please let me go?"

Jack simply loosened his grip on her. "There. Now I don't have to let you go." Arrow could almost hear the grin that had appeared on his face.

"Jack, let me go!"

"Nah, don't think I will."

"Jack!"

"Yes?"

"Jack, let Arrow go."

Jack's head looked up. He saw Kai standing a few feet away. "Why?" he asked.

Kai simply advanced towards them, and he pulled Arrow from Jack's arms. "You shouldn't disrespect a girl like that. It isn't right."

"I wasn't disrespecting her! I was just giving her a hug!"

"Maybe, but when she asked you to release her, you continued to hold onto her, ignoring her. That is disrespecting."

"Then what about you?"

Kai looked at Jack in confusion. He didn't understand what he was talking about. He didn't remember ever disrespecting Arrow. Then, Kai felt someone shift slightly in his arms. He looked down in surprise.

"I'm so sorry!" Kai exclaimed as he let Arrow go. "I didn't mean to-"

"It's alright."

"I didn't know-"

"It's alright," Arrow insisted.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

Kai turned away from Arrow and rapidly began walking away. Arrow's head inclined itself to the left in wonder. "He sure is strange," she muttered.

"Yeah," came a voice behind her left ear. "Really weird." The owner of the voice snaked his arms around her waist.

"Jack!"

Okay, so right now, I'm kinda scared for someone. She started cutting herself last night so I'm afraid it might lead to suicide. Any comments?

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Arrow let out a sigh of relief. She had managed to endure the walk home with Jack. She promised herself that the next time she was ever alone with him, she'd bring a bottle of pepper spray with her, just in case he decides to do anything.

She dropped her book bag onto the floor, and slowly ascended up the stairs. As she did so, she glanced around her house, still not able to soak in it's interior.

In the living, three cozy sofas sat push against a wall, angled towards the TV that had dominated the other wall. On each of these, there were two pairs of deep red cushions placed at each end of the sofas. In the center of the sofas, a coffee table sat snugly there. A thick rug was slipped underneath the table, keeping the hardwood underneath from being scratched.

The wall was painted a soft beige. Lamps were placed anywhere necessary. Moving along to the kitchen, the granite counter gleamed under the bright lights above. The black stove glistened in the lights, the pots sitting atop the stove softly bubbling.

The piano room was in a lone area, consisting of only a beautiful ebony grand piano with shimmering ivory keys. Music books were stacked in a neat pile beside it. Another thick rug occupied the space below the piano.

Arrow looked away and focused on the stairs. She didn't need to be distracted. Her inbox was probably bursting with messages by now. She didn't feel like spending the entire night checking each one.

Arrow quickly glanced at her computer screen and sighed. Sure enough, her inbox had reached a pretty high number. "Ashley Kendrickson" was a flashing orange. Arrow ambled over to her computer and clicked on her friend's name.

It said she was offline. Arrow stared at her screen in confusion. She was quite sure Ashley would have stayed to complain about how long it took Arrow to answer.

As Vanilla Twilight began to play, Arrow jumped slightly in surprised. She hurriedly answered the call and held her phone a good distance from her ear. Within an instant, a loud voice emitted through her phone. Arrow shook her head slightly and head it away from her ear until the shouting was over.

"Have you finished with your rant?"

"OH MY GOD. Where the hell have you been?!"

"Well, considering today was a my first day, I would have to say school."

"Oh. Well, it took you long enough!"

"When you are being stalked the way home, you try to figure out ways to loose the stalker, correct?"

"Whoa, wait. You were stalked?! By who?"

"Jack," came Arrow's reply.

"Jack?" asked Ashely in confusion. "Who the heck is Jack?"

"He was an... Unfortunate encounter today."

"..." Complete silence.

"Ashley?"

"Was he hot?"

"Do you honestly expect me to answer that?"

"Nah, not really. So, meet any cute guys today?"

"Cute? I don't exactly classify them as cute. But yes, I did. Six of them in fact."

"Describe. NOW."

"Well alright then! God, you think you could be patient for at least once!

"Well, first of all, there is Alexander. He's-"

"Oh, sexy name." Ashley had interrupted.

"He's a bit conceited, but he's nice. Sometimes," continued Arrow, ignoring Ashley's comment. "He looks like one of those strong type of guys. But not buff. He has bright blue eyes and he constantly needs to shake his head to get his hair out of his eyes."

"Oh, he sounds like a sexy man."

"And my 'stalker,' Jack. He's a bit- no, very- perverted. I haven't seen his nice side yet, if he even has one. He has a dirty blonde hair that falls over his eyes, which are moss-green," Arrow stated, ignoring Ashley's comment again. She was use to Ashley's sudden outburst of thought.

"Josh is more like a neutral type of guy. He's a mixture of pretty much all the guys I've meet today.He's a sweet guy, but he can be mean too. His hair a a light brown that cover his eyes. They're the same color as his hair.

"Jay has a girlfriend for starters, so don't even THINK about it."

"Aw, that sucks," came Ashley's disappointed reply. "I think I would have liked him the best."

"Well, that's a shame, because I can't tell you what he looks like since he was with his girlfriend. Try again later."

"Don't be so mean to me Arrow! I mean, you can't blame me!"

"Anyway," Arrow broke in, "there is Mike. This guy just LOVES nature. I swear, if I brought him a sapling and a bunch of flower bulbs, he'd be one of the happiest guys on the planet."

"Ooh... Nature lover. Ashley likey."

"I'm surprised his hair isn't green. But his eyes are. They're an emerald kind of green. Or at least I think they are. He was busy staring at the flowers and trees, so I didn't get to see his eyes that well. And he isn't gay if you're thinking that.

"His hair is a dark brown. It's not so dark that it's almost black, just dark. He's like the rest of the guys, strong, but not buff.

"And finally, there's Kai."

"Ashley likey the name!"

"Yeah, I like his name too. He's the quiet one from the six. If you're lucky, you might have a small conversation with him, but other than that, he barely speaks unless he needs to. He's very sweet, since he saved me from Jack's bear hug. He get's embarrassed easily sometimes, but it's actually pretty cute."

"I KNEW IT! I KNEW YOU WOULD THINK AT LEAST ONE OF THEM WAS CUTE!"

"Could you not scream?" Arrow asked in an annoyed tone. "I'd rather like to keep hearing thank you very much."

"Oh, sorry. I was just excited for you, that's all."

"Well, you can be excited after my ear is close to the phone, alright?"

"Oh fine," said Ashely. "Anyways, continue on with Kai."

"Well, sweet guy, quiet, sometimes easily embarrassed... Well, he's got black eyes. Well, they were just a really dark brown. The kind that is so dark, it's almost black. His hair is jet-black, and it falls over his eyes, just like the rest of them."

"I should meet these guys. I have to see if they meet my standards."

"Oh they fit your standards alright. A bit too fit."

"Perfect! Then you won't mind if I drop by tomorrow! Invite them over to your place for dinner or something!"

"I can-"

"Perfect! I'm coming over a five to help you get ready! See you then!"

"But-"

Click. Arrow sighed. She didn't know if she could or not. She wasn't sure how her mother and father would react. But then, this was Ashley that wanted this. And Ashley usually gets what she wants.

*******

"How are you dear? How as today?" her mother asked Arrow in a lilting voice.

"Fine I suppose. It was interesting I can say."

"How? Got a boyfriend?" her father asked as he peeked his head into the kitchen. "When am I gonna beat - I mean meet - him?"

"No, I don't have a boyfriend."

"Why do you look so troubled then?" asked her father in a confused tone.

"Well, Ashley wants me to invite the six guys I met today over for dinner tomorrow or something. She wants to know if they fit her 'standards,'" replied Arrow.

Arrow's parents looked at each other in amusement.

"Go ahead," they chorused together.

"If they're good enough for Ashley, they might just be fine with us," her mother stated with a small smile.

"Well..."

"Now now dear. Let Arrow grow up for once. She's not a little girl anymore."

"She's still my little girl. Fine. Let her have them over. But if even one of them tries to do anything to my little angel, they're are all LEAVING."

Arrow sighed and shook her head. "I'll get Ashley."

For the cutting - Well, help her. Pay attention. Figure out why she's sad.
And stuff like that. Persuade her not to.

It really depends on the reason to figure out how to help. Some cut because they want to punish themselves, others because they just want to see what it feels like and others because they want to inflict pain on something.

(And then I will read the story )

Oh, I know why. People have been spreading rumors about her being pregnant.

Dah-what?

You have some mean people where you are.
That's horrible. Well, I'm guessing it isn't true.

Oh, yes. We do. There is so much more drama. It's basically due to the seventh-graders. They all turned emo and mean AFTER they read Twilight. Weird, no?

Yeah, it's not true. But some girl did get pregnant last year. She got expelled from the school for some reason and she's in an alternative center for gang-related things.

But yeah.

Well, she seems more peppy now. She's even told me her cuts haven't become scars yet. :/ She checked them too.

Not very unique, since it's and actual word, but I guess real words that people use that are turned into names are pretty different.

Such as Tally, or Forest, or Fox, or Starr ((haha, someone can be called that too Starr. )), or Lilly ((Lily)), Hazel ((Haha, there you go Hazel. )) , or Cherri, or Iris...

Oh... Iris is a good name.

I think I shall ignore my promise to my little sister and...

DUN DUN DUN DUUNNNN...

Do something.

Part Three~ ((**I have decided to post the parts in order for you to know how many there are. **))

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"Okay, so let me get this straight: you want us to come over, just so your little friend won't tear your head off?"

"Well, that's a bit too much but yes. Pretty much."

"Well, what do you guys say?" Alexander asked the five behind him.

"Great!" they said in unison.

"Alrighty then! We'll come with you after school!" Alexander draped his arms around Arrow's shoulder and pulled her closer to him. "Right after that stupid bell rings, we're coming with ya to where you live Princess. So be ready."

Arrow, annoyed, pushed his arm off her and swiftly moved to her first class. Alexander followed behind her with a smirk playing across his lips.

*******

"Let me warn you: Ashley is a bit energetic. If you are careful, she might tackle you."

"Pft. You've lost faith in me Princess! I ain't gonna let that girl push me down! Well, maybe she might be able to push Kai, but he doesn't care, do you Kai?"

Kai simply cast his glance at Alexander, peering through his dark hair and gave a slight shrug. "Maybe."

"Dude, is this chick hot?" Jack asked.

"Does she like trees and stuff like that?" Mike inquired.

"You'll see," came Arrow's short reply.

As the group neared Arrow's house, a curtain was moved back. Just as soon as it was moved back it was in place again once more.

"Oh no."

"What's wrong Princess?" Alexander asked.

Before he could answer, the door to Arrow's house was flung open and a figure dashed out, locking Arrow into a death-grip hug.

"Can't... Breath!" Arrow gasped.

"Oh! I'm sorry!" Ashley apologized, her blonde hair bouncing as she bounded away.

"Yup. One hot chick," whispered a voice behind her ear.

"Shut up," Arrow muttered, whacking him across his head.

*******

"You're mom and dad are gone. They bought a load of stuff too. It's in the kitchen. We don't have to bother with that stuff now. Come on! I wanna meet them!" Ashely exclaimed, bouncing in her place happily.

The six guys that had filed into Arrow's home looked at each other, clear amusement visible in their eyes. She sure was peppy. They followed Arrow as she was dragged into the living room by her arm and chuckled.

"Sit," Ashely commanded. "I want to officially meet them."

*******

"Well! Now that I've met them, I think we could all use something to eat and drink! Come on! Let's go to the kitchen!" Ashley exclaimed, jumping up from her seat. Everyone but Arrow and Kai followed her. The were clearly amused by her energetic personality.

"Arrow? You coming?"

"No, I think I'll stay here," Arrow replied, drawing her knees up to her chin.

"Oh, what about Kai?"

Kai simply shook his head.

"Okay. I'll bring something back. See ya!" They disappeared into the kitchen, laughing as they went.

In the living room, not a word was said. It was completely quiet except for the soft ticking of the clock. Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Tick-tock.

"How are you today?" Arrow looked up suddenly.

"Me? Oh, fine I guess."

"That's good."

Another ten seconds of awkward silence.

"How about you?" Arrow inquired.

"I'm good too."

Arrow sat in thought for a moment. "Let's play 20 questions."

Kai looked up in surprise. "Why?"

Arrow shrugged. "Why not? As long as it's going to be so quiet, we might as well have something to say. At least in 20 questions all you have to do is think of a question and answer. No real conversation there."

"Oh, well, I suppose so... I guess that would be alright..."

"Okay, so, question one..."

*******

"... So he died," Arrow finished.

"I'm sorry about your goldfish."

"It's nothing. I don't even remember him, so I can't exactly be sad."

"That makes sense," Kai answered.

"So, Princess. What have you and Kai been doing this entire time?" asked a voice from the living room opening. Kai and Arrow looked up in shock.

"20 questions," Kai said, answering Alexander's question.

"Oh!" exclaimed Ashley. "We could soo play this! Come on!"

Part Four

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"And what shall that be?" Arrow inquired wearily.

"Why the long face Princess?" Alexander asked. "You don't seem so excited."

Arrow, her eyes switching over to Alexander's face, replied in the same tone, "Have you not realized what this girl - " she motioned towards Ashley, " - can do? I'm terrified to be within a seeing distance when she has an idea."

Ashley immediately puffed her cheeks, very much looking like a chipmunk with acorns bulging out of it's cheeks. She huffed and crossed her arms, angrily stomping a foot on the rug. A slight whine began in the back of her throat, stopping only to complain ,"Arrow, you have NO faith in me at all! I can NOT believe you could do this to your own best friend! I thought we understood each other!"

"Oh, I'm quite sure we do, since I have the strangest of feelings to bolt from this room. I do believe the suggestion you are about to offer is not twenty questions, but more like something I would disapprove of."

Jack's eyes began to glitter with excitement. Mike and Jay each raised an eyebrow in unison, clearly waiting for a hint. Josh just stood awkwardly in the room, eyes glancing around, not understanding what was happening. Alexander showed his signature smirk, causing Ashley to swoon slightly. Kai, on the other hand, shot a warning glare towards Jack.

"Aw come ON Arrow! It'll be fun!"

Jack's eyes widen and his face lit up with excitement. "Fun? What kinda fun?"

Kai had snapped. He pounced onto Jack's back and repeatedly whack Jack's head with his hand. Jack had began to whine and frantically tried to pull Kai off his back.

"Don't you EVER think about it Jack! " Kai roared. "If I find out what's going in your head and I do NOT like it, you will regret EVER thinking about it!"

They all flinched back in surprise. Kai barely uttered a single word, and if he did, one could barely hear him. This surprised them, as the quiet and gentle Kai turned into a loud and ferocious Kai.

Jack stopped in surprise. He stood in one place, motionless, oblivious to Kai's blows. Alexander was the first to come out of the haze. He grabbed Kai's shirt and pulled him off Jack.

"Chill man. Don't scare Princess over here." Alexander had smoothly pushed Jack out of Kai's reach. He took Kai's attention and directed it towards Arrow.

Kai reluctantly glanced at Arrow. His eyes widen and he quickly pivoted his head to stare at a wall, not daring to look back. Arrow's eyes were wide, her lips slightly parted. Her fingers were clenched into a tight fist, her back ramrod straight. She sat motionless, her eyes burning a hole in the back of Kai's head. He shifted uneasily.

"OKAY! LET'S GO AND PLAY TRUTH OR DARE!" Ashley screamed in order to break the silence that had fallen over the room. She bounded up the stairs and everyone else followed her.

*******

Kai was miserable. He noticed that Arrow was avoiding him, keeping herself a good distance away. She never looked towards his direction, not even once. Every time someone mentioned his name, she stiffened and replied in a strained voice.

While Kai was miserably sitting in his own spot, Jack was on a happy high. He enjoyed this game a lot. Mike and Jay knew to never choose a dare when they were around Jack. Josh had gone with either, not really caring.

"Okay! Alexander, it's your turn!" Ashley piped, holding out a cardboard box. In the box was eight pieces of paper with a number on it. Each person was assigned a number and whoever was chosen had to choose.

"Yeah, okay, whatever, " came Alexander's reply. So far, nothing entertaining had happened. None of them dared to take a risk. "Seven."

All eyes were directed towards Arrow. Her uneasiness was apparent. She never liked being the center of attention.

"So, Princess. Which shall it be? Will you choose the wimpy truth, or the almighty dare?"

"Um..." Arrow began to fidget. She never liked this game, and the choices she had never went well with her. She sighed. "Dare."

Alexander smirked. "Alrighty then Princess. Whatever you say."

Arrow immediately regretted choosing dare. His tone of voice made Arrow nervous.

"I dare... You to go into that room - " he pointed to a door, " - and bring Kai with you. You'll have to stay in there for thirty minutes. Either you choose that, or you're streaking across your house."

Jack fainted. The thought of Arrow streaking was just too much for him to handle.

Kai's head shot up, eyes widening. "Alexander, don't make her do this."

"Hey, I gave her a choice. Personally, I'd go with option two, but that's just me."

"No, I'm fine with it, " Arrow declared, her teeth clenched. She knew this game would have been a bad idea, whether she chose truth or dare. She quickly stood, choppily walking towards the other room. Kai looked at the back of her head sadly. He slowly stood and trudged after Arrow.

"DON'T DO ANYTHING GROSS IN THERE, YOU HEAR ME ARROW?" Ashley screamed as the door was shut, leaving Kai and Arrow stuck in a room, cut off from the others.

Part Five~ Hehe. ^^

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As Kai entered the room, he noticed that Arrow had pointedly turned her head away from him. He became more sad and sat beside Arrow. From his peripheral vision, he noticed Arrow stiffen.

"I'm sorry, " his quiet voice apologize. "I didn't mean to do that. It's just that..." He trailed off. Arrow had launched herself off the couch and was now standing beside the window. The moon was full, and the soft glow shown across Arrow's features. Kai stared at her, noticing the way her lips were parted, slightly full and lightly pink. He had come to a conclusion. He strode over to where Arrow was standing, aware of what he had planned.


*******


"Oh, what do you think they're doing in there?" Ashley fretted. She was anxious. She liked to know what was going on.

"Yo, chick, chill. Don't worry about Princess. She seems like a big girl. She can handle Kai. Come on. Help me get Jack up."

Ashley stared at Jack. "Um, ew, no. This guy fainted after her picture my best friend naked running through her house. That's a major turn off."

Alexander rolled his eyes. "Fine, whatever." He stood and aimed his foot at Jack's side, With a swing, he foot jabbed into Jack's side and his eyes fluttered open. He lay there confused for a moment, and then his body registered the pain.

"HOLY FRICK! WHY DID YOU DO THAT FOR?!" Jack roared, clutching his side.

"You were unconscious, " Alexander simply stated. "That was the only way I thought of that could get you up."

"There are other ways, "Jack groaned as he stood. "Much safer and less painless ways."

Ashley scoffed. "If he didn't kick you, I'd probably stab a heel through your side. I mean, seriously? My best friend? You have a sick mind. And I thought you were the hottest one."

Jack's eyebrows wiggled. "You sure about that?"

Ashley looked at him once. She stepped closer to him. As she neared enough to be within an easy touching distance, she raised her hand and slapped him across his cheek.

"Positive," she replied, a grin forming on her face.

Everyone else erupted in laughter except Jack. He began fuming.

*******

Kai took Arrow's arm and dragged her towards him. She broke out of his grasp and pivoted on her foot to face him.

"What do you WANT?!"

Kai flinched back. When she was mad, she was scary.

"I'm sorry."

"I don't need your sorry!"

"Why?"

"I said I didn't, okay? Just leave me alone!" she yelled. With a frustrated groan, she fell backwards, he back hitting the wall. She slid down and hid her face between her hands.

Kai stared worryingly at her. Kai began to grow more worried as her body began shaking. He knelt down. He firmly grabbed her wrist, slowly pulling them back from her face. He took in a sharp intake of breath staring at Arrow. Glittering tears were falling down her cheeks. She didn't look up at Kai when he removed her hands.

Kai stared at Arrow, forgetting what he was going to do. Seeing her cry hit him hard. He didn't expect this from her. Seeing her cry mad him sad. It was as if she tore his heart to shreds. She seemed so vulnerable when she cried. Fragile and delicate.

He took Arrow and pulled her close, resting her head on his chest. He leaned against the wall and gently stroked her hair, hoping she would calm. Her quivering began to stop after a it, and her sobbing lessened. He pulled her back and wiped away her tears with his hand.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice low. Arrow didn't answer.

"Please, answer me Arrow. Please." No reply.

"Arrow!" Still nothing.

Kai slipped a finger under her chin and pushed her face up to face him. As her eyes focused on his, his breath stopped. The sadness in her eyes broke his heart. He forgot how to breath. He couldn't stand seeing her like this.

And slowly and steadily, he leaned forward. He placed his lips softly on her forehead. He gently pulled her back once more and gave her a slight smile.

Once again, he leaned forward.

The clock flashed midnight as he sweetly pressed his own lips against hers.

I like reading this

Part Six~

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Jack was still angry. They were all still laughing. He wasn't too worried about his side. It was his pride that he fretted about. He couldn't stand being laughed at. Not anymore.

Ashley stopped laughing the moment Jack pulled her close to him. He gave her a twisted smile, throwing her over his shoulder. The room around them grew silent as Jack simply walked over to Arrow's backyard door. He pulled it back, taking the screaming Ashley with him. Alexander followed, beckoning the others to follow. They watched as Jack stopped at the edge of Arrow's pool. It was calm and serene, the light glistening off the water as the sensors detected motion. Then, the picture shattered, turning into a violent storm as it splashed and flew.

Moments later, the waves had dwindle to a small size. Ashley was no where above the surface of the water. The only movement any of them say was they slight crash of the water as it calmed and reverted back to its serene state. During the process, Jack had backed away, not wanting to get wet. From the distance the five where standing at, they couldn't see the bottom of the pool.

They neared. Cautiously, slowly. They inched towards the edge with small steps. With a careful look, they saw a discoloration of the water from the light that was provided. The crawled closer, not wanting to see if what they thought was true.

Ashley was floating at the bottom of the pool, statue still. Her eyes were closed and her skin looked pale.

The boys froze, not daring to believe the sight in front of them. With a tremble, Jack dipped the tips of his hand into the water, hoping what he saw wasn't real. In a flash, Ashley's head poked out of the water. With a quick grin, she took Jack wrist and sank back down, pulling Jack with her. She released his arm and swam back to the top, watching Jack flail in the water.

*******

Kai stopped the kiss, pulling Arrow towards his chest. He pressed his face into her hair, patiently waiting for her to do something. Nothing. She didn't move. He could barely feel her breathe. He frowned. He began to push himself away from her, stopping when her hands gripped his shirt.

"Don't go," she sobbed.

Kai smiled. "I won't."

*******

The boys burst into laughter. Ashley stared at Jack in amazement.

"What the heck? Why are you laughing?" she asked, surprised.

Jack shot a grin at her. "Well, I didn't know you had the guts to do it," he explained. "Guess you're different from the other girls." He waded to the edge of the pool where Ashley was and draped an arm around her shoulders, smirking. "I like different."

"Okay, so before his hormones kick in, I think we should get these two out and go see what the other two are doing," Alexander cut in.

"Yeah, I guess," said Josh and Mike.

"How about you Jay? Jay?"

"No, I can't. No! Please listen... Well, I guess... I'll have to ask... I'm pretty sure they'll let me." Jay paused. "Okay. I'll see you in thirty minutes if I can go. See ya. Bye."

"Well?" inquired Mike.

Jay turned around, embarrassed. "Uh... Sorry. It was -"

"Yeah, yeah. It was your girlfriend," Josh interrupted. "Go ahead. Go and do whatever. I'll tell them you left us to hang out with someone else."

"You make me sound like a jerk," Jay muttered. "I could stay you know. I could always just call-"

"Go," Mike and Josh commanded.

"Are you su-"

"Oh for the love of God... GO!" they screamed. They each grabbed one of Jay's arms and pulled him out of Arrow's house.

"Well," Alexander said, clapping his hands. "Guess that's one thing solved."

*******

"Are you alright?" Kai asked, stroking Arrow's hair.

"No," came her muffled reply.

"Why not?"

There was a long silence.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, you know. Just say you don't want to tell me. I won't ask again."

"I... I'll tell you later."

Kai held her closer. "Okay."

BANG!

Kai and Arrow jumped, their eyes shooting towards the door.

"AHA! I KNEW IT!" Ashley screamed in excitement. "I JUST KNEW IT!"

"Hey, uh, Princess's friend. Can you talk in a normal voice? Some of us aren't capable of speaking that high," Alexander complained, holding his hands beside his ears.

"Oh, sorry. But don't you see it?!" she exclaimed. "It's just so cute!"

"What's so cute?" Jack asked, popping his head into the room.

Ashely rolled her eyes. "Oh please. Get with us, will you? You are like, so slow.

"Well! I think we should get out of this stuffy little room, don't you think? Come on!" She bonded over to where Kai and Arrow were and pulled Arrow out of Kai's arms, earning a complaint from Arrow. She pushed Arrow through the door, shooting a glance behind her to order the others to follow.

"Ah, she's a keeper Jack," muttered Alexander as he followed.

"Hm. She's going to be harder to get to," Jack said. "This ought to be interesting."

*******

"So, what happened?" Josh asked.

"Yeah, what happened?" piped in Mike.

"Well..." Ashley said. "These two - " she pointed to Arrow and Kai with an open palm - "we snuggling in that little room over there. Isn't that just cute?" she finished, a grin spreading across her face.

"Not really. I mean, sure I didn't expect Princess to go along with it, but still."

"Oh shut up. You're just jealous it wasn't you in there with her," Jack teased.

"Oh?" Alexander asked, cocking an eyebrow. "What about you?"

"Please, be quiet," Kai interrupted, breaking the argument. "Can't the two of you be in the same room and not have a fight for ten minutes?"

"I guess you would want to know now," Arrow said, looking at her fingers.

"Know what?" asked the four clueless boys in unison.

"You don't mean... That time, do you?" Ashley asked, horror-struck.

Arrow nodded. "Yes. That time."

"NO!" Ashley screamed, launching herself at Arrow. "YOU CAN'T!"

"Why not?" Arrow inquired, pushing Ashely off her. "It's my choice."

"But-but... You said you didn't want to remember it," she said, her voice growing quiet.

"I don't," Arrow said. "But I'm pretty sure they need to hear about it."

"Hear about what?" Kai asked, his voice worried.

Arrow sighed. "Well..."

Part Seven~

((CAUTION: NOT APPROPRIATE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. PLEASE KNOW THAT THERE IS A PART THAT MAY UPSET YOU.))

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Everyone shifted to a more comfortable position, leaning in with every word. Ashley's face had gone pale. Her hands were clenched into fist as she remember what happened.

"A few years ago," Arrow said, "I met a guy named Jesse. He was pretty much the perfect guy. He was a top student, was captain of some sport team, funny, kind, you name it. All the mothers adored him and the fathers trusted him. No one saw any wrong in Jesse. He was perfect. He got into one of the best universities in world.

"Until that day a few years ago. There was the one guy, who was like Jack. Just much worse. He came up to me after school and just started talking to me. I never understood why him of all people would ever decide to associate with me. I never did like it, but since I didn't want to be rude, I talked."

"That's a shock. I never knew Princess had a heart," Alexander muttered.

Arrow shot him a glare and continued. "Jesse popped up behind me all of a sudden." Ashley's fist grew tighter, making her knuckles white. "I jumped of course, and turned around, startled. Justin, that was the other guy's name, pushed Jesse so hard, Jesse's back hit the lockers with a loud bang, and he fell to the ground. Well, I was about to go run to Jesse to see if he was alright, but Justin grabbed my arm and pulled me backwards. I tried to scream, but his hand covered my mouth before I could. Thing was, his hand was really big, so he covered my nose too.

"So I started to pound at him. It was useless. He didn't even flinch. Eventually, I started to feel faint due to lack of air. He removed his hands and gagged me, so I couldn't scream. Not that I could. I was to busy taking in air to even think.

"Then, he bound my hands and feet and threw me into his car. My head hit the door of his car with a nice thump. Justin just laughed and went to the driver's seat.

"Since I didn't have enough time to get in some air before he gagged me, I spent most of the ride trying to breathe through my nose. My lungs felt as if they were going to burst."

"Oh god," Mike said, his eyes growing wide.

"Poor Arrow," Josh whispered.

"The ride was about ten minutes long. When the car stopped, he took the ropes of my feet and grabbed my hair, pulling me along with him. 'If you don't do as I say,' he threatened, ' I will hurt you.' All I could do was nod.

"He pulled open this wooden door and pushed me in. I landed on the hard floor with a 'thump.' He slammed the door behind him and turned to me with a malicious grin. Justin crept towards me, his hands unzipping his pants. By then, I started crying. He grew angry and slapped me across the face. My head hit a wall and I nearly fell unconscious. I didn't have the strength to move, so when he tried cut through my jacket, I didn't do anything."

"Just stop! Please! I really can't bear it anymore! Please just stop Arrow! I don't want you to keep remembering this! Remember what the doctors said? They said it would be best to forget it!" Ashley cried out.

"But what if I don't want to? Why should I? How can anyone expect me to just forget about it and keep on going with my life? It SCARRED me, Ashley. There isn't a day that I can fully relax. Everyday I think about him, and I go to sleep at night terrified he'll break out of jail! You don't understand it, Ashley. He hurt me, and I won't ever forget that."

"At least you don't look like you're in so much pain when you aren't talking about it! If it wasn't for him, you would have never brought it up!" Ashley screamed, pointing an accusing finger at Jack. Jack fell back in surprise, his hand hitting the remote to the TV, causing it to flicker on.

"Breaking news. Jesse Hankens broke out of jail earlier this morning at Orville Landing Jail. Hankens is wanted for attempted rape and murder. If anyone has information on Hankens, please call the police immediately."

Jack fumbled with the remote for a while before pressing the "OFF" button. The room was in silence, an air of rage and terror filling it.

"HE GOT OUT?!" Ashley shrieked. "HE COULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN OUT! THERE IS NO WAY!"

"Well, Princess. Care to finish your story?" Alexander asked, his voice dripping with anger.

"Jesse busted the door before Justin could go any further," Arrow continued. "He grabbed Justin and threw him out the door. I couldn't see anything, but I could hear Justin's screams as Jesse beat him. I heard Jesse threatened Justin before Justin ran off. Jesse came back in, staring at me. I was about to try to stand up to go to him but he pushed me back down. I stared at him with wide eyes. All he did was grin at me.

"'Well, well. Look at this. Little Arrow is all tied up in this little shack. Mean ole' Justin brought you here, didn't he? Well, I saved you from him so I think you owe me a little reward.' He took the gag from my mouth and before I could scream, he slammed his lips against mine. His hands reached behind my back to get the knife Justin left. He pulled away and grinned at me again before jerking the knife down my shirt. I let out a loud scream. Jesse took the knife and slashed it across my stomach, causing me to gasp in pain. 'Let out another scream and I let this knife cut some more of your pretty skin,' he said.

"I didn't listen to him, me being me. I screamed again and this time, he threw me across the room. I fell. He jerked me up and pushed my face into the wall. He took the knife and sliced my back with it, causing blood to seep out from the cuts and another scream to escape my lips."

"My god," Mike and Josh whispered in horror.

"What a psycho," Alexander muttered.

"Thankfully, the cops arrived. Jesse dropped the knife and shot out the door, leaving me on the ground, bleeding. The cops captured Jesse and the paramedics rushed to me. They quickly stuck gauze on my wounds and gently laid me across the gurney. I was out of school for three months. One month was in the hospital. The other two months was rehab."

"Arrow," Ashely choked through, her eyes filling with tears.

Kai wrapped his arms around Arrow and pulled her towards him. "Don't worry," he muttered to her. "I won't let him get anywhere near you."

*******

"Arrow! Arrow honey! Are you here? Are you alright?" Arrow's mother cried out in worry as she entered her home. "Oh, Arrow! I'm not sure if you heard! That Jesse got out of jail!"

"I know," Arrow said.

"Normally, I would object to any boy touching you at the moment, but right now, we need to get you out! I saw Jesse heading this way about six miles from here. Arrow, get anything you need into those suitcases! You're friends can help you! We're getting the neighbors to come help us so hurry!" Arrow's father shouted. "GO!"

All seven shot up the stairs and into Arrow's room.

"Mike and Josh. You two, go down the hall and get towels, blankets, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss. Jack, grab as many suitcases as you can and help those two get all the stuff in there. But first, bring about four into this room. Alexander and Kai. I trust you enough to know that you won't be thinking about whatever guys think about when they see girl's underwear and clothes. Well, go to her dresser and take out everything in there. Arrow and I will deal with the other things," Ashley commanded. They all nodded and ran to where they were to go.

"Well," Ashley said with a tired smile. "Let's get working."