The sun is glowing orange in the evening sky. Shae and I sit on the edge of the docks, our feet dangling in the water. Jackie sits next to her and the two are holding hands. They are still taking things slow, but have moved up to hand holding and some public display of affection.

"So, homecoming. Ladies we need dresses," she says.

"What about next weekend?" Jackie suggests.

"Tiffany's?"

"Ohh... What's Tiffany's?" I question, curiously.

"It's this cute little shop two towns over and they have the cutest dresses. Plus the prices are perfect for teens on a budget," Jackie says. She leans over and cranes her neck to get a better look at me.

"Sounds great. I'm sure my mom will be cool with it," I say.

"So," Shae starts, bumping into me with her shoulder. "You and Levi."

"Yeah," I squeak out. "I think so."

She smiles, "just don't get hurt, okay?"

I turn to face her, she seems kind of serious and I'm not sure what to think.

"It's not that serious," I tell her.

"If it's not serious then how come this entire time he's been staring at you from his spot on the deck?"

I turn my attention up towards the deck where the guys are chatting and she's one hundred percent right. He's staring at me over Ethan's shoulder with a smile on his face. He nudges his head back like he's pointing in the direction he wants me to go.

"Seems lover boy also wants some alone time, go get him," she says, the playfulness returning in her voice.

By the time I get up Levi has already disappeared and I know he's ready for our little randevu on the rooftop. When I arrive he's already on the rooftop waiting. I step out and I'm taken back by the colors of the sun now that I'm higher up. Fire lights up the sky as I settle into Levi's arms and he holds me against him. He lets out several shaky breaths like he's nervous.

We spend most of the evening up there on that rooftop while we listen to the party below us. We don't say much, he plants a few gentle kisses on my lips and holds me in his arms. It's not what I expected out of him. I was waiting for him to be handsy, since he has a reputation and all, but he was nothing like I thought. Every day the boy surprises me.

When I start falling asleep in his arms, he offers to take me home. As we pull into the parking lot of the apartments, I'm still in awe that he left his own party just to make sure I got home safely. I would have asked Ethan to come back with me, but he decided to stay since it was still early.

Moms awake when I walk through the door and Levi stops in to say hi. He doesn't stay long so he can get back to his party. After he kisses me goodnight I sit down on the couch with mom a curl into her arms.

"How was your day?" she asks, kissing the top of my head.

"Better than this morning," I say, stifling a yawn.

It's only around ten, but I'm so tired from last night that I can barely keep my eyes open.

"I'm happy to hear that. Look, Monday I'm talking with my lawyer while you are at school. I hope this is okay," she says.

I look up at her, there's fear behind her strong eyes. Mom and I have gone through so many things in the past few months, but I know we'll both come out stronger in the end, especially mom.

"Yeah," I whisper, "do you need me there?"

She shakes her head, "No. It's just going over some things. You concentrate on school and your friends." She pauses. "Homecoming..." she adds wiggling her brows.

I push into her and smirk, "I'm going dress shopping next weekend with the girls."

"Sounds fun," she says, in her excited voice, the one she used when we first arrived - like life is peachy. It's comforting and gives me hope that it can be.

"So this Levi guy, he seems sweet."

I nod, "he is. I like him."

Mom smiles, "Good. See we can start over. As soon as we get this bump in the road squashed things will be good. I know it."

I give mom a weak smile, "I'm exhausted. Goodnight."

"Goodnight honey," she says, giving me another kiss on the head.

I barely take my shoes off before crashing into my bed and closing my eyes. My lids are so heavy that by the time I curl up it's easy to drift off into nothing.

Monday morning rolls around and I'm feeling a bit wrecked. I didn't hear from Lawrence again, so I guess that's a good thing. My weekend ended with zero drama; just mom and I watching movies all day Sunday and relaxing and that was about it.

As I sit in my homeroom listening to the student council president talk about the upcoming events, I can't help but have this dark feeling in my heart that although Sunday was calm, that it wasn't going to last long.

"And next up I have cheer captain Angela Holiday here to read off to you the names of homecoming court. Now, this is the first time any of us are seeing or hearing these names, so it will be a huge surprise to all of us," she tells everyone. "Angela, you're up."

"Hey everyone," she says, in that valley girl accent I can't stand. "It's Angela, your cheer captain. I just want to say I'm really excited to find out who is going to be a part of this year's court. So without further ado here are your nominations for homecoming court."

Paper crinkles over the intercom as the two of them whisper like no one is listening. It takes a few seconds before we hear anyone speak again.

"Alright, first up we have Shae Thomas, second Angela Holiday," she says her name in a sing-song voice. She continues to go through five more names, "and last for the girls is.... Morgan Adams." There's a brief pause. "Morgan Adams?" she questions. She's whispering something that sounds like, are you sure this is correct? It has to be a joke. The entire class turns around and faces me. Heat creeps up my cheeks and it feels like Tulsa all over again.

"Anyway," she says, "now onto the guys."

She rattles off a few unknown names, and some guys from the team before announcing Ethan and Levi at the end. She ends on a high note and wishes all of us luck, but I'm pretty sure she doesn't mean me.

When the bell rings I can't get out of that room fast enough. I contemplate spending the rest of my morning in the bathroom, but decide against it.

When I walk into class Levi immediately perks up. His eyes meet mine and I think I'm beginning to learn how to read him. His eyes are sad and his smile doesn't quite fill his face.I grab a seat next to him and he leans over planting a soft kiss on my cheek.

"You okay?" I ask him.

Levi shrugs, but still smiles.

"And how are you this morning, future Homecoming Queen?"

I snort, "yeah okay." I roll my eyes.

"You and me babe," he says, throwing an arm over my shoulder. "You and me."

He holds me against him and I allow myself to relax and rest my head on his shoulder. The bell rings and Ms. Ryan walks in, but it doesn't stop him from allowing his lips to brush over the outer edge of my ear, "you think I can get some more alone time with my girl soon?"

I shiver at his choice of words. When my eyes meet his, they are warm and friendly. He's asking me as the Levi who lets his guard down, the one who shows me his vulnerable side - not the cocky one. I like this Levi, so I nod my head and softly kiss his lips.

"Alright folks, eyes up here. Mr. Harmon and Ms. Adams please save the PDA for after class," she says.

Levi snickers and when he attempts to engage in an all out makeout session, I push against his chest to stop him. I hate when that side of him returns. Instead of dwelling on it I ignore it all and focus on what Ms. Ryan is talking about instead.

As I navigate through the day people stare at me in the hallways and the urge to ditch school is strong. Memories and flashbacks of the first day back at school after my father died. In a way it was almost as if I was making the whole death up. The teachers were a bit cold through it all too. Now everyone is staring at me for a different reason, because somehow I got nominated and Angela made those comments that everyone over heard.

I turn the corner towards lunch and smack into someone, they squeal as their things drop from their hands. I'd know that high pitch voice from anywhere. Angela kneels on the ground and starts to go through her books. She glares up at me in the process and I almost think I hear a growl.

"What the hell Adams, you got a problem?"

In her hand is her phone, she'd most likely been looking at it when she bumped into me. I let out a throaty sigh, "I could say the same thing back. Maybe if you weren't looking at your phone you would have seen me."

I fight back, attitude is clear in my voice. She growls and this time I can hear it low in her throat. She looks like a wild beast ready to attack. Forgetting about her dropped belongings she stands and her face is right up in mine.

"You better watch your back, or you'll regret saying anything to me."

Now it's my turn, Angela doesn't scare me. I've been through much worse, been teased by girls tougher than Angela. I get closer and around me I sense a crowd beginning to form.

"I'm not afraid of you Angela. I've been through much worse than your catty behavior."

The smile forming on her perfect little face is wicked as hell, but it still doesn't intimidate me. She shoves her arms forward and it causes me to lose balance for a second. I don't know why I do it and I know mom is going to kill me for it, but I strike back. I'm all about defending myself and I'm not going to let her get away with her attitude.

I grab her shoulders and she grabs back and now we are doing some sort of weird dance. She pushes me and I do the same back. She slams me up against one of the lockers first and the feeling vibrates through my entire body. It feels like a buzzing sensation and it's such a hard hit I can feel it in my teeth.

I try to turn her with all of my might, but she's got a good grasp. We haven't moved in a few seconds, she's got me pinned against the locker. I struggle but I'm able to cause her to lose her balance and she stumbles enough for me to push myself off the locker.

"This is for joining the squad," she says, slapping me across the face.

I hold a hand to my face and she slaps my other cheek, harder than the other. People around us start whispering.

"That is for ruining homecoming court."

Her reasons are beyond childish and I can't help roll my eyes. She reaches up to do it again, but I block her. I grab hold of her arm and spin her, throwing her against the locker.

"And now I'm about to hit you for taking my friends from me," she growls.

She lifts her fist in the air, she wants this one to make the most impact, but I block it again. Just when I think I have a grip on things I realize she seems to be slightly stronger. I try to push back but instead I lose my footing. I start falling back towards the ground as she lets go. I brace for impact, but I'm saved by someone in the crowd.

In front of me Ethan takes his arms and wraps them around Angela. She's fighting him with everything she's got. A familiar set of hands takes me from the person who caught me, and I'm relieved to be held by Levi's strong grasp. I glance over to my right and see the person who caught me was Jay. I'm actually surprised since he and Angela are close.

Ethan has Angela in his arms and he's trying to calm her down by whispering gentle words into her ear. The way they are standing there looks almost intimate and the sight takes me back a bit. Levi diverts my attention to him as he looks over my face. He runs a finger over my raw cheek, but is gentle about it. My cheek is sore and probably red and my spine feels like it's on fire from the impact of the metal locker.

I stare up at Levi and can feel the burning sensation in my eyes. In the distance I hear a teacher telling everyone to back up and get to class. My ears pick up on Ethan's voice and I miss most of what he's saying, but hear the words, "not worth it."

His words catch me off guard. I try to listen again and I'm so engrossed in their conversation I hadn't realized the tears until one of them slid down into the corner of my mouth. My chest is rising and falling rapidly and in that single moment Levi says, "I won't let them see, promise."

I'm taken back with how well he was able to read me. Without another word Levi hides me in his arms and leads me away from what just happened. He pushes through the school doors, even though we aren't supposed to leave and leads me to his car. He opens the rear drivers side door and allows me in first. The minute the door shuts all the pent up sobs I'd been holding back release.

I'm not sure how long Levi holds me for in the backseat of his car. Time passes and no one comes to look for us. I'm pretty sure we've missed at least lunch and possibly half of the next period, but I don't care. He rubs my back and it's helping the pain subside.

I hiss when he presses too hard.

"Will you let me get a look?" he asks, his voice cracking in a funny way.

I nod. Gently, Levi lifts my shirt from the back, his fingers brushing gently against the skin of my back as he does. I shiver from his touch.

"Am I hurting you?" he asks.

I shake my head and allow him to continue lifting my shirt. My stomach and half my back are exposed as he runs his eyes over my back.

"We should go to the nurse and get you some ice, that really doesn't look good at all," he says.

Residual sobs escape my shaking lips.

"Levi?" I ask, trying to bite down more sobs that are eager to emerge.

Carefully he puts my shirt back, adjusting it at the bottom, like he's trying to make sure I'm completely covered back up.

"Yeah?" he asks, his voice soft.

"I want to go home. Please take me home?" I cry.

"Hey," he whispers as he holds me tighter, "don't let her win," he tells me.

I stare up at him, his eyes are more serious than I've ever seen them before. He reaches up and holds my face in his hand.

"I know you're stronger than this. I can see it in your eyes."

I shake my head, "I thought I was," I cry. "I thought I was strong. I can't do this again."

"Again?" He gives me a quizzical look.

I wipe some tears with my arm and take a deep shaky breath, "having people stare at me and say things behind my back. Having others torture me because of something I couldn't control. I'm tired of it. I came here expecting normal and all I got was more drama."

The waterworks just keep coming and I can't stop them.

"Hey, hey, hey," he says, tightening his grip on my face. "You can't let people like Angela get to you."

I fall into his touch.

"Back in Tulsa my dad..."

I don't finish my sentence as there's a knock on the window. Levi and I turn to find Ethan standing outside looking in at us. Levi sighs, like he's annoyed and pops the door open. He leans out, "what?"

The attitude in Levi's voice is almost lethal.

Ethan glares at Levi, "Morgan your mom is looking for you. She got a call from the school, but contacted me when you didn't pick up."

I wipe my eyes and sniffle, "I'll call her now."

I climb over Levi and crawl out. I take a quick glance back as I walk away. They look more like enemies at the moment than best friends right now as they argue in hushed tones. My stomach hurts just thinking about getting between the two of them. I try to ignore the sinking feeling inside as mom's worried voice shouts into my ear. There's a loud whirring sound that sounds like she's driving.

"Morgan?"

She sounds almost out of breath.

"Hey mom."

"I'm so glad you're okay. Why weren't you answering your phone?"

I sigh and stop between a red Toyota and a silver Honda. I glance back over at Levi and Ethan who are still arguing. Levi's hands are clenched in fists and for a minute I worry he's about to punch Ethan in the face.

"Morgan. Honey, are you still there?"

I shake my head attempting to forget what I'm seeing across the lot.

"I'm sorry. I just needed to be by myself for a little while. Memories of Tulsa come flooding back in and it was all so overwhelming," I tell her, trying not to cry again. I can feel it building, but push the feeling away.

"I'm not close to home. I went to the meeting with the lawyer. I won't be able to reach you for at least a half an hour," she shouts over the roar of the muffled highway sound.

"That's okay. I might stay, Levi is insisting I go to the nurse for some ice."

"How bad did this girl hurt you?" Mom sounds furious.

"It's not too bad. She did shove me into the locker though and my back hurts alot," I tell her.

"Well that Levi is a smart boy, let him take you to the nurse. Are you sure you don't need me to come get you? The principle wants to set up a meeting with me," she says.

"What?" I shout. "But I didn't do anything. Does he want to expel me or something?"

Panic rises in my chest and pressure builds up. It feels like someone has me in a vice and they are putting all the pressure on my chest. I put my hand there and can hardly hold myself up straight. I know this feeling all too well, I spent many school days trapped in the bathroom stall just waiting for the anxiety to pass. I haven't had an attack like this since Tulsa.

"Honey, I need you to relax okay. Maybe I should come..."

A strangled noise comes out of me and the world darkens a bit. On the other end the vans engine revs like she's increasing her speed to get to me sooner.

"No, you don't have to..."

"Morgan, are you okay?"

A concerned Levi is standing in front of me. Why hadn't I noticed him? I gasp for air as my phone slips from my hands. He reaches out grabbing it as I slither to the hard dirty concrete and curl up into a ball at his feet. It hurts to breathe.

"Mrs. Adams?" I hear him say.

His words are jumbled like he's talking from far away in a tunnel. I have no idea what they are saying to each other, but I'm so out of it I don't even care. This extreme panic attack has only happened a few times, but this one feels much worse. A few seconds later I'm being lifted into his arms and being carried back into the school building. Levi is shouting something as he rushes through the crowd of people.

A soft female voice is talking and I think she's asking him what happened. I hear her say the word panic and cot. Seconds later I'm put on a soft surface. The spot next to me sinks a bit with the weight from Levi's body. I hear footsteps and Levi saying thank you. He carefully tries to tell me to sit up and I think I listen. He puts a cup to my lips and forces me to drink some water. Then there's something cool pressed up against my back. He helps me lay back down and the female voice says something, before her footsteps retreat.

"Morgan. It's Levi, I'm right here okay?"

His fingers run through my now sweaty hair. I'm more embarrassed than I ever felt in my whole life. Now the entire school here knows I'm crazy, including Levi. I wonder if Ethan saw anything.

"Your mom said you suffer from panic attacks. I had no idea Morgan, I would have taken you straight home. I'm sorry." He sounds angry with himself for not knowing something I've never told him. "She's coming to get you. I'll stay with you until she does. If you want me to that is."

I curl myself into him and try wrapping my arms around his body. He lays down next to me and just the feeling of his warmth next to me is enough to calm me into a state that's relaxed enough to fall asleep.