Daryl hasn't been around, I'm assuming he's either gone or he went off to do some kind of errand. I can honestly say I have no clue what goes on down there. Half the time I'm pretty sure my stepfather does a lot more than I think. I don't want to get involved nor do I care because soon I'll be on my own.

I haven't been sleeping well from all the yelling coming from the basement at all hours of the night. In fact I haven't slept in so long that I'm literally falling asleep on the bar waiting for drinks for one of my tables. I feel someone grab my sides and I let out a small yelp, I turn to see Katelyn smiling widely at me.

"God you scared me."

I put my hand over my heart because I feel like someone knocked the wind out of me. She comes to stand next to me.

"You looked like you were about to pass out," she laughs.

"Oh my god yes, I am so tired. All I hear all night is loud music and screaming and god knows what down in that basement," I wine.

"So go down there and kick some ass."

"Oh believe me if it happens tonight I am so going down there."

My eyes close again and I feel my head bounce back quickly. This sucks so badly.

"So Ethan's been asking about you."

She leans against the bar her arm just barely touching mine. I haven't called Ethan since our last night out. Things are so hot and cold with us I honestly don't think it will ever work out. I miss the way he was in High School. I shrug my shoulders unsure what to say about it.

"He said you haven't called him."

I look over at her and she's watching me closely. There are so many things I want to tell her, but I don't know how. I tell Katelyn a lot of things, but there are also things I don't tell her. She knows my mom is messed up, but doesn't know anything about Travis's little business. When Ethan and I first started dating I told her everything that happened between us. He never pressured me to give into sex or do anything I wasn't comfortable with. Katelyn had lost her "v" card at fifteen and so I'd come to her for advice since she was more experienced than me. When we graduated Ethan and I had planned on taking things to the next level and I chickened out last minute. Later that summer I found out that he cheated on me with three different girls since I wouldn't give him what he wanted. We spent that whole summer apart, but about a month into his first semester of college he started to call me again. Ever since then we've been on and off, and as time goes on he still wants to pressure me to do something I just don't want to do yet. I know it's ridiculous to be a twenty year old virgin, but I don't care. I don't want to just give in because it's Ethan, I want to be in love and honestly I don't think I'm in love with him.

"What's he saying?"

"He wants to know where you've been. He says no one picks up the phone at your house anymore. He also says you haven't been on AIM in forever."

The drinks for my table are set in front of me and I carefully pick up the tray.

"I feel like I'm over him, I don't know," I say.

"He wants to see you," she informs me.

"I'll call him tomorrow," I sigh.

She doesn't press the matter anymore, so I start walking back to where I have to bring the drinks. The restaurant has a tile floor near the bar and an ugly thin red and black carpet in the dining area. As I take the one step to get into the dining area I lose my balance. I'm so dizzy and trip over the top step. The drinks in my hand go flying forward onto the floor and break with a crash. When I look up the table waiting for the drinks all stop talking and stare at me.

I'm so embarrassed and afraid to move, and my head is throbbing. Katelyn's hand touches my shoulder as she rushes to my side. I can hear her talking but everything is fuzzy. I look up at her as she takes my face in her hands. She asks me if I'm okay and all I can do is nod.

Roger having heard the commotion comes over to check on me. He doesn't ask if I'm okay, he just grumbles about the glasses coming out of my paycheck.

"That's strike two Pierce."

He stands over me with his arms crossed not even bothering to help me clean up the mess. I can just make out Katelyn yelling at him. I'm so tired I need to go home. It's already past eleven, thank god Liam is sleeping at the sitter's house tonight. Katelyn helps me to my feet and I offer to help clean up, but Roger just wants me to go home. I still have another three hours left of my shift, I can't believe I'm going to lose out on three hours. Katelyn helps me to my car, but hesitates as I go to get in.

"Are you sure I can't drive you home?" she asks.

I shake my head, "I'll be okay," I tell her.

She doesn't look convinced, but I give her a quick hug before retreating into my car. She watches me leave the parking lot. Before I left I promised her I'd call the restaurant to let her know I got home safely.

I pull into the driveway and both Daryl and Merle's bikes are in the driveway and Travis's car is gone. This better not be another sleepless night or I swear I will go down there and start shit. I get into the house and start for my bedroom. I'm a few steps away when I hear moaning coming from the room. I nearly burst down the door and see that on my bed is a strange woman naked on top of Merle.

"Get out of here you bitch!" he yells.

"This is my room dumb ass!" I yell.

I'm so tired I don't feel like yelling, but I can't believe this is happening right now. This room is mine this is the only part of the house that I have all to myself and here it is being violated. The woman hops off of him and I turn so that I don't have to see his ugly ass.

"Get out of my room, NOW!"

"I live here too," he reminds me.

"Not in my fucking room you don't. Your shit is downstairs!" I remind him.

She starts to get her clothing on, but Merle goes over to her in just boxers and tries to stop her. She looks from me to him confused as to why I'm there. She's probably high as a kite.

"You can't make me do shit little girl!" Merle walks over to me and gets in my face.

"You want me to call the cops because I totally will," I threaten.

"You won't do that because they'll see what a shit show it is over here and then you can say bye bye to your little bro," he says.

I can smell weed and alcohol radiating off of him and my stomach turns. I shove him hard and he stumbles slightly, I think it's only because he's drunk and high. The woman starts to retreat from the room in just a bra and underwear and he stops her.

"You better watch it little girl, I don't give a crap that you are a girl I'll beat the ..."

"MERLE!"

Daryl's voice booms loudly from behind me. I look between the two of them, just fucking great.

"No it's okay Daryl I can handle it," I tell him.

"I'll beat the shit out of you," Merle starts.

"Try it!" I challenge.

I stand on my toes to get in his face. If he wants to threaten me let him, I'm not afraid of him or his dumb ass brother behind me. Without warning warm arms wrap around my middle and pull me away. I feel my feet lifted slightly off the ground as I fight him. I try to punch and kick my way out of his arms, but he's strong.

"Merle, just go. C'mon man," Daryl grunts as I almost kick him in the balls.

"This isn't over blondie," he threatens.

"Merle shut up!" Daryl yells.

Merle gathers his clothes and glares at me as he exits the room with the woman. I pull myself out of Daryl's arms and rush to my bed to start ripping the sheets off my bed. I'm cursing under my breath, annoyed and angry. I can't believe that asshole used my bed. I feel like I need to burn these sheets, or the bed. He has no respect for anyone's property and I want them both gone. The minute Travis comes back I'm going to tell him. It's not good for Liam anyway.

A strange noise tumbles from my mouth and the taste of salty tears hits my lip. I didn't even know I was crying. Daryl's hand lands on my shoulder as I throw the bottom sheet behind me just missing hitting him. I turn around and push him so hard that he stumbles further than his brother.

"Don't touch me!"

I point my finger at him.

"You need to take it down a notch with my brother," he warns.

"Why? I don't give a fuck, and don't care for his empty threats!" I yell.

"Because he will do something to you! He really doesn't give a shit. A man or a woman he doesn't care. He's got nothing to lose," Daryl tells me.

"Why do you care?" I ask.

"I just think you should..."

"Don't tell me what you think," I say.

He steps closer and I hit his chest several times. He doesn't seem to care that I'm hitting him. He stands still like a statue. I don't feel bad that I'm taking all my anger out on him, I also don't understand why he's letting me. My arms start to get tired and my knees grow week. I feel them shake and loosen. Daryl catches me before they completely give out. He lifts me so that I can lean against him. For some unknown reason I bunch up the fabric of his shirt in my hand and sob into his hard chest.

I lose my balance and fall to the ground, Daryl comes down with me. I'm so tired I don't care that I'm sobbing in his arms while he holds me. I feel a million butterflies in my stomach and a fire burning through veins. A strange desire to be close to this man scares me so I pull away and lay my head on the floor curling up into a ball. I close my eyes and take a deep breath as the feeling of sleep takes over.

I wake up in my bed sometime after seven, I don't have work today so there is no alarm set. I look down at fresh purple sheets on my bed, and one of the old comforters from the hallway linen closet. Daryl surprises me and makes me question so many things. I can't believe I slept through it all.

I'm supposed to pick up Liam around ten so I still have some time to spare. I decide to get up and take on the day no sense in lying around thinking about feelings all day. I stay in my pajamas but go to the kitchen to get some food. Mom's sitting at the table and looks a little more sober today than the last time I saw her.

"What the hell were you yelling about last night?" she groans.

"Oh nothing, just our lovely tenants being assholes again."

"Don't get involved."

I laugh and want to say more, but I'm not in the mood for fighting with her. I start looking through the cabinets for something to eat and pull out a pop-tart that's close to expiration. I'll have to get to the store soon we are low on stuff anyway.

"You listening to me?" she crows.

"Mom you know nothing! So shut your damn mouth," I yell.

"I know that you need to stay out of Travis's business. Stay away from those boys! You hear me!"

"Doesn't help that one of them was fucking some bitch in my bed!" I yell.

"Keep your voice down," she yells.

"Or what? Huh ma? They'll come after me." I roll my eyes.

She sighs loudly then pushes her chair back and it crashes to the ground. I ignore her while I open the fridge for milk. She stomps away like a child and then slams the bedroom door. I sit down across from where she was and start to eat my breakfast. I hear voices outside muffled in the distance. Sounds like Daryl and Merle. The curtains blow in the breeze and I can see the back of Daryl's head. Merle laughs at something and his voice makes me cringe. I need to get out of here for the day so I call Katelyn and we make plans because staying here will make me do something I'll most likely regret.