THE ROADS ARE lit by the faint glow of the streetlights standing stoically on either side of the obsidian asphalt. In the darkness, I only see the silhouette of Chase's figure as he walks beside me with his hands in his pockets. The moon above is full and small in the distance, accompanied by stars that watch our every move. My fingers twitch at my side.

I want my camera.

The lights cast a glow on Chase's profile, outlining his jawline and the countours of his facial structure. He seems impassive, lip jutted out slightly as he sucks on the skin. In the pale yellow, I see a blue splotch on his cheek, the dark bruising prominent even in the night.

We have been walking for nearly ten minutes - not a word is spoken as we both reinvision the events from before, each lost in their own thoughts.

Chase turns the block and I follow, standing close behind as I watch his back flex with the movements. Up ahead is a bench, situated at the end of the street beside the stop sign. Wordlessly, we both head towards it.

He sits first, shivering at the cold metal at first touch, blowing out a warm breath which evaporates into the cool of the night. I hesitantly sit beside him and leave a gap in the center, staring off towards the left while he turns to the right.

There is a momentary pause and all that can be heard is the sound of cicadas in the trees.

"Eleanor?" Chase asks, disrupting the beautiful silence. I turn my face slightly and my hair falls into my face, creating a curtain between us. Without thinking, he reaches out a hand and tucks the loose tendrils behind my ear, and suddenly I am mesmerized by the green, green, green of his eyes.

His hand drops just as my quiet gasp gets caught in my throat.

Chase continues without a beat, "What the hell were you doing at Brent's party? You know that kind of crowd isn't safe."

But you're part of his crowd, I think.

I say nothing.

"It was a little stupid," he scolds softly, as if he still can not believe that I was there. "I heard that Madison invited you; that should have been the first warning sign."

I say nothing.

"Just be glad I was there, okay? Things could have gotten really bad real fast." I nod, twiddling my fingers. When Mom and Dad find out...

"Eleanor," Chase says my name softly, but I am rocking back and forth, chiding myself mentally about how stupid I am, and I do not realize how close Chase has become. He blows out a sigh and lifts a thumb to my cheeks, brushing away tears I do not realize I have shed. My eyes widen and then he is pulling me close and my head is resting on his shoulder and I am shaking. "It's okay. It's all over now. You're safe now. Don't cry."

I say nothing.

He lets out another quiet sigh and pulls me closer. I smell the scent on his clothing - the scent of apples and wood, a different but interesting mix.

I reach out and lightly touch his cheek, where he lets out a small hiss of pain. I bite my lip and find myself frowning. This is because of me.

He notices and his expression softens. "I'm fine. Don't worry about it. This isn't the first time."

How many other times has this happened?

"Hey, tomorrow the band and I are having another practice," Chase changes the subject, brushing off my concern. My hands drops to my side once again. "You should come. They really seem to like you. You can show them your pictures too." Chase glances down where I am already looking at him with my lips slightly agape.

I say nothing.

But I find myself nodding as I smile.

↛

Short chapter is short. It's simple but sweet though. Anyway, do me a favor and vote and comment? It would mean a lot. I really want to know what you guys think about this story since it's so different than what I'm used to writing.

Also, maybe make me fanart? I like those kinds of things. c;

Comment. Vote. Promote.

-Isabelle