Ashley sat cross-legged on her bed while she worked on her homework. At least for the first time in a long while, her parents weren't yelling at each other. The house was quiet, which was unusual. She sighed tiredly as she finished the last of her assignments.

It was nearly ten when she was done. She began to close her books and put them back in her school bag, when her phone began to ring. It wasn't a number she recognized, and she debated whether to answer it or not.

"Hello?" she answered, not sure who would be calling her this late at night.

"I'm outside." It took a few seconds to place the voice.

"Maddox?" she asked, incredulous. Why on earth was he calling her? Or more importantly, how did he even get her number?

"I'm outside," he repeated.

Curiosity made her go over to her bedroom window to peer out. She could see him leaning casually against the side of his car, which was parked outside her house.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, feeling annoyed.

Their eyes met and she felt a flutter inside her chest. Why was he the one to make her feel this way? Why did it have to be him? She ground her teeth in frustration. And why was he here? Was he stalking her?

"Meet me outside and I'll tell you why I'm here."

"No." Her response was firm and unwavering. Whatever game he wanted to play, she wasn't playing. She had told him to leave her alone and he wouldn't listen.

"You're going to make this difficult, aren't you?" he said with a sigh.

"I'm not going to do it," she explained matter-of-factly. This guy was really getting on her nerves. Who did he think he was, coming into her life and thinking he had a right to tell her what to do?

"Are you always like this?" She could hear amusement in his voice.

"Yes," she whispered angrily. "I don't go out to meet strange guys late at night."

"I'm not a stranger," he countered confidently.

"Listen, Maddox." She looked up to the ceiling to rein in her temper. "I don't know why you've suddenly taken an interest in me, but... stop." She held the curtain tightly in her hand, watching him from her bedroom window. "I don't need or want your help."

He sighed again. "Don't make me play dirty." His words were light but his tone left her with no doubt there was an underlying threat.

"What does that mean?" She glared crossly at his dark figure.

"It means you have five minutes to get your ass downstairs."

She wanted to tell him no, but Maddox Larson wasn't someone who made empty threats. But what could he really do to her? She bit her lip as she tried to think of what he could possibly hold over her head, and she came up blank.

He hung up and folded his arms. He knew exactly how to get her to do what he wanted, and it made her angry. Damn him.

She twirled around and made a beeline for her door as she shoved her phone into her pocket. How dare he make demands on her and then have the audacity to threaten her? Did he do this type of thing often? Making threats to get what he wanted?

She opened and closed the front door quietly so her parents wouldn't hear, before she stalked to where Maddox pushed himself off his car.

"I don't like being threatened." It was dark except for the light from the nearby streetlight. It illuminated his face enough for her to see his smirk.

"If you weren't being so difficult, I wouldn't have to." He arched an eyebrow at her, and she frowned.

Even though she was angry, his full attention on her caused strange things in her stomach.

"What do you want?" she asked through clenched teeth, checking over her shoulder to make sure her parents' bedroom light was still off. They would not be happy if they discovered her meeting a boy outside at this time of night.

"I told you before, I can help you," he replied softly when her gaze returned to him. "I want to show you something. All I'm asking for is the chance to show you that I really can help you."

She glared at him, wishing it was within her power to make him disappear.

"And what do you get out of this?" Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. She still couldn't figure out why he cared.

"I get to know that you won't be compelled to take unnecessary risks."

She held his gaze for a few serious moments while she bit her lip, contemplating his motives. Her gut told her there was more behind his actions than that, but she knew he wouldn't tell her if she asked.

"I won't give up," he added.

She didn't know him that well, but he had showed he was persistent. Besides, it was just one night and then she would be rid of him.

"Fine." She sighed as she gave in. "One night."

He smiled. "I'll take it." He held out his hand to her.

Reluctantly, she placed her hand in his. The strength and the warmth of his handshake sent an awareness through her that she didn't like one bit, but she was unable to fight it. Honestly, she didn't want to spend any time in his presence, but she had agreed to his request for one night and she was determined that was all she was going to give him.

"So, what are we going to do?" she asked, allowing her arms to drop to her sides.

"I don't want to ruin the surprise." His eyes danced with mischievous intent, and she couldn't squash her intrigue.

"I don't like surprises," she mumbled. He opened the passenger side door, and she reluctantly got in.

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" He winked at her, and she swore her stomach did a somersault.

Feeling even grumpier, she watched him as he jogged around the front of his car to slide into the driver's seat. She was trying to sort through the mixed feelings she had for him. On one hand, she didn't want anything to do with him; but on the other, she was curious.

He gave her a side glance before he started his car. "You ready?"

She shrugged. "It's not like I have much of a choice."

He shook his head as his grin grew, and she averted her gaze when her chest did a weird fluttering thing.

"No music," she commented when the silence in the car intensified the awkwardness she was feeling.

"We don't want to attract attention," he murmured.

Attract attention? What was he planning? Her curiosity was piqued.

His side glance took in her attire. "And it's a good thing you're wearing black."

"Are we doing something we shouldn't?" She raised an eyebrow in his direction.

"It depends on your perspective." He was being too vague for her liking, which probably meant she was right.

"Where are we going, Maddox?" she asked again.

"Relax, Ash." He continued to drive.

She didn't recognize the surrounding neighborhood. They were on a residential road, but she didn't really know anyone who lived in the area.

"Tell me what we're going to do," she demanded, feeling her temper rise. He was the most obnoxious, irritating, annoying person she had ever met.

"We're nearly there." His words did nothing to ease her growing anxiety.

The car finally slowed and came to a stop.

"Where are we?" she found herself asking in a whisper while she studied the surrounding houses.

He didn't say anything. Instead, he reached for something in the back seat and handed it to her. "Hold on to these."

It was a carton of eggs. "Eggs?" Somehow, she didn't think they were going to be baking.

She was about to get out of the car and toss them at him, but he seemed to sense her unwillingness. His hand covered her hand, resting on the top of the carton. "Trust me."

She should have just said no, but there was something in his eyes and in the tone of his voice that stopped her.

"But I don't know you." They had been going to the same high school for years, but they were just strangers passing each other in the hallways. "Why would I trust you?"

"I didn't tell anyone about finding you standing on a ledge," he reminded her, but it wasn't enough to convince her. He let out an irritated sigh, removing his hand from hers. She momentarily missed the warmth of his skin against hers, and then she felt disgusted that she felt that way. "Any other person would've told someone. There's a high rate of suicide in teenagers and if it'd been anyone else they would've had you committed to some sort of program already."

She blinked. It was something she hadn't even considered.

"I'm asking you to trust me," he added. Still unable to say anything, she nodded, tightening her hold on the package in her hands.