Song: Better Place- Rachel Platten

It takes me two days to actually start feeling a little like myself. The headache is finally gone, thankfully because all the throbbing was making me really tired and was causing me to sleep more. Zayden stayed with me the first night in the hospital even though I don't remember much of it because I was out of it. I do think I remember him lying beside me in the bed. I remember him playing with my hair and I swear I thought I heard him singing to me as his hand held mine close to his heart.

I hear Harley and his friends went to jail and without bond. My dad is planning on getting them all for kidnapping, contributing to a minor, attempted rape and who knows what else. They would have raped me if they hadn't arrived when they did. So I'm grateful that Maya did say something when she did or else who know what would have happened besides that...hell they could have killed me and I'm sure they would have in the end.

It's actually been a week since I was taken against my will by Harley. I would have never thought of him to be that way but then again it had been a long while since I seen him. And drugs do crazy things to you before you even realize it you are someone else and become a monster. He kept telling me that it was all my fault and I needed to pay for everything that had happened back then. I know though that none of it was my fault. I hated to see all of them going to jail but it is where they needed to be. Hopefully this way other girls will not fall for them and get into the same situation as I did.

Carter comes home today for the Christmas break. So he will be home for the next three weeks. We are also out of school for a few weeks which makes my life even better. My plans for the next three weeks are to be with Zayden and if I'm not with him I would rather just sit up in my room alone. Maybe sleeping the break away but I'm pretty sure that will not ever happen.

There is a light knock at my bedroom door. I stuff my journal under my pillow and then sit up, crossing my legs in front of me. "Yeah," I call out.

The door opens and Carter walks right on into my space. "Hey sis...how are you feeling?" He looks over at me with a smile and then glances around the room as if he hasn't been in here in ages.

"Fine...I guess." I hate when people ask this question. If I was to say I was horrible would it make a difference; I don't think so. "So...home for the next few weeks uh!"

"Yes...figured we could spend some time together if that's ok?"

"Sure." I shrug my shoulders. He has been doing this more lately as well. Every chance he gets he feels the need to hang out with me. I guess he is afraid that something might happen to me. I don't argue about it.

"So ...I see you guys haven't even started decorating for Christmas; what are ya'll waiting for? You feel like going with me to get a tree."

I look down at my phone for the time. It is already going on after five in the afternoon. I give him this crazy look like he has got to be kidding. "Tonight...like now?"

"Yeah...why not?" He winks at me.

"Nothing. Sure it will be alright." I stand up to put my shoes on and smile back at him. "Let me get my stuff."

He drives into town at this place that is selling trees. We get out and start to look around. He points to this tiny tree with this really big grin on his face.

I laugh, "Seriously...mom would be a little disappointed don't you think?"

He laughs and I know he is just playing around. After a good half hour, I find the perfect tree. "What about this one." I point.

"Nice."

The guy helps us load it on top of Carter's Jeep. Then we head out back on the road. "Do you feel like stopping at the coffee shop?"

"Sure, why not." I tell him even though I really don't like coffee so I order a hot chocolate instead. We find a table off to the side and sit down so that he can also eat a muffin.

"You sure you didn't want anything to eat?"

I get what he is trying to do but really he doesn't have to keep me company all the time. "I'm fine...really."

I take a sip and it burns the shit out of my tongue. Great, I so hate that feeling. As I sit here I think about how awkward it is just the two of us sitting here. I am so use to the group. But then again it is actually nice just the two of us. I have a feeling something is on his mind. And sure enough just thinking about it seems to make him start talking.

"So about Zayden," he asks. And the mention of his name alone gets my attention. Carter has been really nice to him even though I am sure he really doesn't like him and the only reason he is trying to get along with him is for my sake.

I slowly look up at him from the rim of my cup. I can see the steam coming from the lid. "What about him?"

"I'm sorry...I doubted him. I just thought he was another asshole just wanting a piece of ass but he is not like that. I was wrong about him."

A smile slowly forms on my face."Oh!"

"Yeah...I never saw anyone get so upset about a girl before. I mean I would get upset if anything ever happened to Natalie but he...damn. You know he would kill for you...hell he would probably even die for you. I'm glad you found someone that cares so much for you. At least I know that when he is with you I don't have to worry about you. I know he will take care of you."

"Awe...thanks Carter. He really is a nice guy." I try to take another sip of my drink but this time blow it first hoping to cool it off some. Of course it still burns against my already burnt lips and tongue. "So when are you going to ask her?"

"What?" This time he looks back at me with wide eyes.

"Natalie...duh...when are you going to ask her to marry you."

"Well if you must know," he reaches down into his pocket and pulls out a ring, "what do you think?"

I squeal, "Oh my goodness...it's beautiful...he will love it." The diamond is perfect.

"I hope so; I plan on giving it to her for Christmas."

"I'm so excited...now I can have a sister and someone to help kick your ass." I giggle and take another sip. I watch as he looks at my hand. I see the smile fade a little and I know what he is thinking and honestly I'm surprised that he hasn't already said something about it.

"So the ring. I noticed it months ago I just didn't want to start trouble. Maybe I just didn't want to know the real answer...so I know he gave it to you or else you would not be wearing it. Does mom and dad know?"

"Yes...they know all about it why?"

"So is it an engagement ring?"

"Actually." I hold it up to look at it. "It's just a promise ring. He gave it to me for my birthday and it was his promise to always be there for me and to wait for me."

"Do you think you guys will get married soon?"

"Not before you." I laugh. "I have five more months of school and then I want to go to college you know. Besides he will ask me when he is ready and I'm sure it will not be any time soon."

"Well I'm sure he will wait as long as it takes. He really loves you. He even admitted it to dad."

"Oh..." I stop and think when did they have time to talk without me knowing about it. How did I let that slip by me and Zayden never said a word about it either.

"Yeah...I think dad likes him as well."

I smile and take another sip. It's nice to know that my dad approves of him. I have tried so hard to show them that he cares so much for me but it's like no matter how hard I try nothing seems to work. It's funny in a way that it took me getting kidnapped and Zayden had to prove that he would do anything to protect me that is when they all saw the true him.

When we pull up in the driveway dad comes right out to help Carter with the tree. Mom has all the boxes down with the Christmas decoration and as soon as they get the tree up where mom wants it we start to decorate it. When we are done I snap a picture and send it to Zayden.

He ends up calling me. I knew he would because he loves to hear the sound of my voice.

"Hi...love." I tell him before he even says a word into the phone.

"Hey precious." My heart melts every time he calls me that. "I just got off work. Love the tree."

"Thanks. Carter got home and was upset that we have not decorated yet and insisted that I go with him to pick it out."

"So guess we are spending Christmas with your family?"

"I assume so why?"

"Well...my mom called earlier today and she really wants me to come over. Just for awhile if that is alright."

"Ok."

"So you will go with me...right?"

"Of course...I mean if you want me to go with you." I have only met his mom the one time and it was very briefly. I have not met his step dad or any of his family for that matter.

"I do want you too; I just don't really care about going back there but since it is Christmas and all maybe I can handle it...if you go with me."

"Then I will go."