The world was a cruel place, monsters made out of humans each day. Getting lucky was hard these days and I got lucky. My family was supportive if not a little crazy like all others. No bad past, just mistakes we've resolved or moved on from, learning. After all, everyone learns from past mistakes, but I didn't from one of mine apparently.

   "I would like to order two hundred of your velvet cupcakes." A deep voice echoes underneath the metal music playing, I hum along with the music as I go downstairs, ignoring the raised eyebrow of the customer. Clad in black formal pants, a white button up shirt with sleeves rolled up to the elbow, black combat boots, a black tie with an apron adorning my waist. A few tattoos peek out and the piercings shine briefly in the light. Long black hair tied into a hanging ponytail as I look at the customer, reaching the counter with a silent look.

   "Right on time Kian. I'll be in the back baking for the rush hour." I give a nod to my sister, Rose, midnight blue eyes hitting the same ones. I give a small smile before going behind the counter, his eyes raking me over slowly.

   "What type of frosting and design would you like on the velvet cupcakes?" Pulling out a pad and pen, I wait for his answer, surprised he's staring at me. "Is something the matter?" A dashing smile appears on his face, leaning forward with amusement in his silver eyes.

   "Did It hurt when you fell from heaven?"

   "Only when I rose from hell." I smirk at his shocked expression, asking again. "What type of frosting and design would you like on them?"

   "Fine. A rose with a heart. Cherry frosting and a date with you on the side." I scoff at the male, writing down the order.

  "When would you like them delivered and where?" The flirty look reappears as he winks, smirking triumphantly. A hand wraps around my wrist, pulling me forward with barely an inch of space between our faces.

   "Here's my address. I want you to deliver them to the party in three days. You can't deny me, it's part of your services." No blush spreads across my cheeks as I lean forward, his right hand writing down the address.

   "Very well then, Damien. Don't regret it later." My lips press softly against his ear, a smirk adorning my lips with the hitched breath releasing from the playboy's mouth. "The amount will be one hundred dollars." I pull back as he looks at me with a dazed expression, frozen. "Close your mouth, you'll catch flies."

   "Here's the check. H-how do you know my name? We've never met." The stutter makes his voice quiet as I give him a look, admiring the dark jeans with red formal shirt. His dark blue, unruly hair making his silver eyes stand out. I take and put the check away in the drawer, averting my eyes.

   "We go to the same college, different majors. Enough rumors go around about every guy and girl wanting to do you or date you. A few times I've seen scenes that made my eyes bleed. Whether or not you're a playboy, I'm not going to be another notch for your to conquer."

   "I didn't know you went to Hawthorn Arts College." Noticing the unspoken comment, I just nod looking through the orders of the week. Feeling his gaze on me I look up with a curious gleam, silently asking him to go on. "Would you want to get to now each other more sometime?" The shy tone in his voice make me smile as I confirm his order.

   "I'd love to, Damian. Perhaps you weren't looking close enough and I judge people based off their personality or when I get to know them. Not their image. Have a wonderful day." I watch his back as he leaves with a slightly flustered expression, a light blush and smile covers his face.

   "Who knew you had that in you? He's very handsome." Instead of jumping, I look at Rose and her girlfriend, Abby. Must have come downstairs when we were talking. I muse to myself, raising an eyebrow at the two. "You know there's something about him. Give him a chance."

   "He seemed into you at first sight. He won't be blind anymore Kian. Love is in the air." A faint blush covers my cheeks as I go to the back, ignoring the laughter following me. I just met him, there's no way I will fall in love again. Never again.

   "You going to deliver the cupcakes Kian?" I sigh in response, the boxes carefully placed in the dark blue delivery van, keys in hand.

   "He requested me to deliver them, so I can't object." I glance down at my outfit quickly, questioning if this was nice enough for the occasion. Dark blue jeans clad with a dark red button up shirt, watch on my left wrist, and sleek combat boots combined with a black tie and a few rings adorned on my fingers. My messenger bag is in the passenger seat with two water bottles and cigarettes.

   "You have the test coming up soon. You're nervous." I nod as arms wrap around me in comfort, leaning against the van with Abby's arms as a solace. Rose just gives me an encouraging smile and wink.

   "I'll be back around five this evening. Use condoms when I'm gone." I get in the van, taking off as Rose flips me off, Abby laughing, but blushing. The rather quiet neighborhood was louder than normal. Kids flitting about with friends or by themselves, parents talking to others or fretting over their children. Stopping at a stop sign, I take a left following the directions to Damian's house, whistling lowly at a rather elegant, medium house. The pearl silver and pink color scheme goes to the small pond filled with koi, a garden behind the side, and roses around the house. The big rowan tree stands proudly with a few small gravestones and tiger lilies. Parked next to the silver and red cars in the driveway, I give the house one last look before going to the front door. Here goes nothing, I ring the doorbell, seeing Damian as the door opens with a smile and not a friendly one.

   "Glad you could join us. Please come in." Staying put, I give him a look, confused. His arms are crossed as he leans against the door frame, irritated.

   "Just tell me where I need to put the cupcakes and I'll be out of your way obviously." The venom in my voice makes him freeze, looking guilty for some reason. Without a word he shows me where everything goes, eyes glued to my figure. The interior is as nice as the outside, spotless with a black, white, and pink color scheme. What the hell happened to the confident, overfriendly guy from yesterday? Sighing, I grab the boxes balancing them into the kitchen with ease, sorting them. Sensing his presence behind me, I don't look his way and continue on with my task.

   "I'm sorry about before. I've heard about you from my mom and I-" I cut him off, indifferent as I turn to look at him, finished. Hands rested on counter, my fists clenched tightly, I glare at him.

   "I don't know what the hell happened to the guy I conversed with yesterday, but this version is just a douche bag who believes in rumors or what their parents say. If you actually believe what your mom said, go ahead and hate me. Several do anyway, but never jump to conclusions. That makes you an asshole." Before he invades my personal space, I leave with a frown etched into my face, brows furrowed. I sit in the driver's seat, attempting to calm down, hands shaking and heart pumping. A warmth touches my hands hesitantly as I see Damian struggling to say something.

   "I'm sorry Kian. I didn't mean to hurt or offend you. Hearing those...things made me wonder is all." A bitter laugh escapes my lips as I look at him, rage in my eyes.

   "If my façade was fake right? Everyone I get to know even if they are strangers, assume and don't ask or talk about it. I said yes to your date to get to know you, without the rumors or assuming. To think you would do the same for me was naïve. Even more if you returned my feelings." I push away Damian, heart stopping as I shut the door and drive off. Ignoring the soft shouts from the male outside, silver eyes wide with panic as I leave.

   "Damn it. I thought I'd gotten over him already. Why? Why? Why?" The bakery is in view as I stop the car in the driveway, hitting the steering wheel with each question. After a few minutes I get out, avoiding my sister and her girlfriend in the kitchen, heading up to my room. Once the door is locked for good measure, I sit crisscross in the middle of the fairly clean room and exhale slowly. Raking my eyes across the dark blue and black schemed furniture and the night sky with constellations on the walls. What have I done?

Damian's POV

   "You lied about him to me? Why? You knew I wanted to give him a chance!" My voice sounds desperate as I glare at my mom, furious. The shock of him saying he liked me made me so happy. The truth is, I have seen him around, but never knew who he was. I always ended up watching out for him with a fascination unlike any other. I knew I liked him when I first saw him in the bakery, but the feeling made me so happy that I couldn't help to flirt with him. My heart jumped as he sent a comeback to me, a knowing look in his eyes. We may not know each other, but there's something there.

   "Son, it's for your best interest. His family was messed up and he could be too." My mom tries to reason with me as my body reacts on its own. Finding myself in the silver car without a word, the soft pleads becoming more desperate as she forces me to look at her. "I don't want you to get hurt and all he does is hurt. He killed his own family!" Everything snapped in an instant as I yell at her, angry.

   "It was not his fault! You don't even know his side of the story! Don't ever judge people by their appearance or rumors. you're not even giving him a chance. There's a reason why I like him." Her silver eyes meet mine, wide. "He didn't judge me based off the rumors and or appearance. He gave me a chance and I blew it by believing your stories on him." I move her away as I close the car door, going to see Kian and clear things up. His cold gaze from earlier resonates in my mind as I wince, remembering my iciness to him. I was already judging him when I barely met him for the first time. Shit, I messed up.

Kian's POV

   "It's not your fault Kian. Your parents weren't right in their minds. There was nothing you could do to help them, but you tried for them." Rose's voice hits my ears as I get up, a bit dazed from zoning out for a few hours. The door clicks as I'm rushed into a tight hug, a flowery scent hitting my nostrils.

   "I'm fine Rose. It's just hard to take in when he is the one I..." Trailing off I search for the right words, but fail hugging her back. The soft chime makes me freeze as I gently let go of Rose, smiling with a silent thank you. Making myself presentable, my body towards the counter as I move instinctively. "How can I help you toda-" I stop midsentence as Damian comes in with a look of frustration and longing.

   "I'm sorry about before. I wasn't being fair to you and I understand if you don't want to go out with me now." The sincerity in his short apology was enough to make me falter my movements as he goes around the counter, cornering me. Tongue-tied at the sadness and urgency in his eyes, I step back and meet the counter as a barrier. His outfit shows his toned body, similar to mine but blue and black instead with black formal shoes. His hair sticking out wildly and eyes locking onto mine as he gradually removes the space between us.

   "D-Damian?" Cursing myself for stuttering, I forget to breathe when his lips cover mine. My eyes gradually close as he gently lures me in, arms on his neck and my hips. The warmth makes me pull him closer, the feel of his body on mine making my heart flutter as he softly whispers to me, barely an inch away.

   "I really like you. No, I think I'm falling for you Kian. Please accept my apologies and let's start over again." I sigh in content, smiling crookedly at him. I press my lips to his as an answer, deepening it. Pulling away, I smirk at his flushed face, playing with his loose hair around his neck.

   "I know I'm falling for you too. Now hurry up and kiss me already." A genuine smile widens his face as he takes my breath away.