I couldn't fall asleep. My mind was constantly drifting back to Draven, for an unknown reason. We have just met and yet, he completely grabbed my attention in less than twenty minutes.

One thing I knew for sure was that he's crazy. How could anybody be so chill after slamming their fist into a glass wall?

But, there was something else, too.

His character - I have never met anyone like him. I mean, yeah he's so hot it's almost unnatural, but there was something about him that was off.

I know it was really rude for me to accuse him of murdering his foster parents, but he was pretty much a jerk to me.

Although, an extremely sexy jerk.

I kind of feel bad for saying that. Should I apologize to him?

One thing bugged me the most, though. He obviously knew what was wrong with Dr. East and why was he running down the hall like a headless chicken. Dr. East was mad with him about something that happened, but I can't figure out what. After all, they have just met.

So, what's exactly going on between them?

✧

"Hey, Aly!" Sawyer greeted me and put down his platter of food. "I brought you some new music," he added and plopped on the seat next to me, shoving three new CDs towards me.

"Ooh, and what am I listening to this time?" I asked interested, munching on Nutella pancakes.

When I first got here, I was really scared because I didn't know absolutely anyone and every kid in here seemed rude. Until one afternoon when I was in the playing room and he approached me with the brightest smile. We introduced ourselves and instantly bonded because we both love music.

He is also really sweet.

I didn't have anything to listen to music on, since my foster parents took my phone away, so he gave me his Mp3 Digital player and new CD's every other day.

I don't know where he got them from, but he has been in the Foster System since his birth, so I guess he has some kind of privileges.

"It's Queen. You said you love old rock so I thought I'd hook you up," he smiled, taking a bite of his muffin.

I thanked him, after which we continued talking about music and eating until breakfast was finished and we headed towards the hall that led to our rooms.

I didn't even realize that I completely forgot about yesterday's incident and Draven until Sawyer asked me.

"So, I heard something happened last night," he said, his voice turning monotone with a hint of jealousy. I have always been good at reading people and their reactions.

We were currently walking in direction of my room, so I might as well show him the 'crime scene'.

"Oh, you heard about that?" I asked, slightly uncomfortable. Draven was on the bad page with the kids in here and they will hate me if they realize I'm on his side.

I didn't want to talk about that mess. I wouldn't even know where to start because everything about that night was weird.

He scoffed, his body stiffening next to mine. "Everyone heard what happened. You've met Draven then?" he continued.

"Yeah, he's definitely something else."

"You should stay away from him. I heard a lot of bad things about that guy," his voice radiated with hatred and disgust, even though he never officially met Draven.

Was he that bad? I mean, he has an attitude, but I don't think of him as a bad person.

"Why? He didn't do anything," I defended him, leaning against my door.

Shattered glass from the floor was cleaned up, but the glass wall still wasn't fixed.

Sawyer got closer to me, his baby blue eyes piercing through mine. "He did very bad things. Don't let him get under your skin," he warned me.

"How can you know what he did if you haven't even met him? He only got here yesterday," I stated.

"I heard-"

"I know you heard things about him, you already said it. But have you heard it from him?" I cut him off, slightly pissed off.

I can't believe that he's judging a book by its cover.

I mean, I kind of did that to Draven yesterday when I said he killed his parents, but that was different. We were in a heated argument and he was being a prat!

I really regret saying it because nobody should be accused of doing such a terrible thing.

But, Sawyer? He's whispering behind Draven's back and spreading lies, so everyone will turn against him.

Soon enough, he'll be an outcast and I know what that feels like. People will curse at him, spread lies, and destroy any possibility of him having a somewhat normal life.

"You will realize how mistaken you are and you'll come running back to me," he said, which I followed with a bitter laugh.

Is he serious? Does he really think I will talk to him after all of the things he just said?

"I think it's time for you to leave," I said and crossed arms, waiting for him to go away.

But he did the complete opposite.

He leaned in and pressed his lips against mine, trying to make me kiss him back by grabbing my face.

What the hell is he doing?!

I pushed him away without hesitation, wiping off my lips. "What the fuck did you not understand in 'I think it's time for you to leave'?" I glared at him.

I felt burning anger boiling inside of my stomach, just begging me to release it so it can slap Sawyer's dirty smug off his face.

"You will regret that, beautiful," he winked, turning his back on me.

I pulled out his CD's and Mp3 Player, raising them in the air. "Fuck you, you fucking cunt!"

I threw them at him as hard as I could, wanting to hurt him as much as he hurt me, and ran inside my bedroom, locking the door behind me.

Fucking hell.

I heard him yelling and cussing in front of my room, but I just wanted to sleep and forget about everything instead of listening to him.

I want to forget my life.

✧

It was late at night and I was running as fast as I could. The sirens were casting blue and red colors through the darkness while breaking the silence with deafening wails.

I heard someone panting beside me, a tall boy.

Someone else was yelling and I could feel my lungs burning with adrenaline. Then, I closed my eyes and everything became black within a second.

I opened my eyes to find myself sitting in a small room, fluorescent lighting shining down on me and casting sharp shades.

I looked to my right where the same boy from earlier silently stared at the floor when an older man got in the room and coughed as he sat in front of us.

Everything was blurry and I felt dizziness overwhelming me, not quite sure whether it was from tiredness or worry.

"Kids, what were you thinking?" the man finally asked us, his voice echoing with authority.

"Look, mate, we were just enjoying our meal," the boy replied with sass. His voice was confident and deep, yet playful and arrogant.

"The situation from the Diner isn't the problem here. You sneaked from the Foster Center in the middle of the night. That is not responsible," the men explained.

"We're very, very sorry," I heard myself say, my voice trembling and tears starting to stream down my face. "We'll do anything to make it right."

This reminded me of my parents. How they would yell and punish me because of my irresponsible actions.

Suddenly, something warm took my hand, intertwining its fingers with mine as a gesture of calming me down.

I felt my heart skip a beat from his sudden action. Was I happy or just surprised?

"Look, mate. I've got a good heart, but this mouth..." the boy said, stretching his words. "How can we get out of this mess?" he eventually gave in to a rather serious situation.

"We already called your Foster Center and somebody will pick you up soon. This is the first and last warning, alright?" the man asked as I felt his eyes resting on me.

Then, the man walked out of the room and closed the door behind him.

I felt relief and the boy chuckled, leaning his head on my shoulder. "A penny for your thoughts. Five pounds if they're dirty," he whispered and I could feel him smirking at his own words.

I heard myself genuinely laughing, which wasn't that usual.

"Thank you," was all I said.

✧

When I woke up, it was already dark outside. My neck hurt from the unnatural position I fell asleep in.

What was that dream? It felt like reality, but I couldn't figure out who the boy is.

My gaze escaped towards the bracelet around my ankle as I analyzed it again, for the tenth time today.

It was made out of metal, black and sleek material as it slid up my ankle like a snake. It also had this weird circle on the top of it, making it heavier than it would've originally been.

I must admit I have never seen anything like this before. It was always cold against my skin, no matter how long I tried to warm it up.

My thoughts were interrupted by a loud bell, which means it was time for dinner.

I don't even want to think about facing Sawyer in the canteen with his smug face.

That wanker thinks he can kiss me and everything will suddenly turn back to normal as if he didn't do anything wrong.

I got up from the comfort of my warm bed and looked at myself in the mirror I managed to bribe from the staff. It wasn't easy getting things you want in here, you really have to make an effort if you needed something.

When I thought I was looking decent enough, I headed towards the canteen while trying to avoid any eye contact with the other kids.

What will I tell Sawyer when I see him? I won't be able to ignore him and I'm scared that I'll eventually give in and forgive him.

When I reached the canteen, I took the last slice of pepperoni pizza and a chocolate brownie.

I looked around the room and there was no sign of Sawyer. Everyone was talking and smiling. I wish I had a reason to smile in a Foster Centre.

I went to the table in the corner I always sit at and put my platter down, pulling the chair behind me.

Suddenly, a heavy body dropped on the seat next to mine and looked at me with the biggest smirk I ever saw.

Our eyes immediately locked and I couldn't resist from drowning in his dark, emerald ones.

Draven.

"Thank you," he genuinely smiled, which was a new thing to witness.

I frowned in confusion. I can't recall ever helping him, in the opposite, I think I ruined his reputation even more than it already was.

"What for?"

"C'mon, you know it. You covered for me yesterday and if you hadn't, I'd be in a big trouble bubble," he smiled again, showing his white teeth.

"Oh, that? That was nothing. I should actually apologize to you," I said, taking a bite from my pizza.

He playfully grinned and leaned back in his chair. "And what for, shall I ask?"

I poked his ribs with my elbow and smiled. "Shut up, you know why. I know you didn't kill anybody, I was just a little tense."

"You have nothing to be sorry about, I had such a blast last night," he said, winking at me.

I rolled my eyes and opened my mouth to say something sarcastic, but I was interrupted.

"Aly," Sawyer said, begging me with his eyes for forgiveness.

Draven's body stiffened and he was literally piercing a hole through Sawyer with his burning glare.

"Just hear me out, please," he pleaded while trying not to be intimidated by Draven.

As I was about to say something, Draven jumped in. "Sorry, but go fuck yourself. She doesn't want to see you, shitface," he sang, an amusing smile appearing on his face. "I licked her, so she's mine."

I wanted to laugh and punch Draven for saying that, but I tried to stay furious at Sawyer. "Are you going to let him talk to me like that?" he asked, raising eyebrows at me.

"Absofuckinlutely," Draven replied again before I could say anything myself.

I gave him a warning look and turned my head towards Sawyer.

"I won't forgive or talk to you ever again. You kissed me without my permission!"

"I thought you wanted-"

"Oh, darling. Go buy yourself a brain," Draven turned him down, his eyes more serious than they were before.

"Draven," I warned him once again, before turning back to Sawyer. "You know what? Go away and fuck with those CD's you gave me. Your dick is so small, it could fit into that tiny hole anyway."

Draven burst out laughing, tilting his head back and acting like he needed to wipe off tears.

Sawyer stood quiet for a couple of seconds, looking at both of us before he turned around and left without saying anything else.

I let myself smile. And that was a victory smile.

Draven got closer, a proud smile visible on his face as he playfully bumped his shoulder into mine. "You little rebel. I like you."

I grinned and pushed him back. "As it turns out, I like you too."

But then I remembered something that has been bugging me the entire day. "Hey, what happened with Dr. East yesterday?"

He raised his eyebrows, followed by a laugh. "Doc? Well, you know what they say - what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas."

I didn't even want to think about what that means because I know I would regret knowing it afterward.

So, we talked some more, mostly Draven making dirty jokes, and then he walked me to my room after we ate our dinner.

"Thank you for insulting him and standing up for me. He really deserved it," I said, giving him a thankful smile.

"Oh, it comes naturally. I'm a huge fan of inappropriate behavior," he replied, leaning against the spot on the glass wall that he didn't break.

Thank God it wasn't a big hole so Sawyer can fuck that too.

Ew, actually no, forget about what I just said. My room is just across from it.

"Good night," I said, stepping back into my room.

Before I could close the door, his head peeked behind into the room and he smirked. "Good night. If you dream of me, remember I like it rough," and with that, he left.

✧✧✧