"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners that make our soul gardens blossom." -Marcel Proust

Chapter 4:

"It's only a little while away from here, how far can you go without falling on your feet again?" Jack asked as he laughed at my clumsiness. For the first time, I was flushed in embarrassment because of someone's teasing... in a good way. I actually liked this feeling. How was it that Jack looked at me and not called me a name yet? I was waiting and waiting for the 'Ugly Betty' to come or even a murmur 'disgusting', but there was none. Why?

As I watched Jackson's laugh and smile on the way to his house, I noticed that Jackson was different. He was different from all the other cute guys I have met in my life before, but that didn't mean that he was going to have a great personality. So far, there was nothing to conclude that he was a horrible, arrogant, snobbish person... yet. I had to be keen for any signs that showed this was all an act. If I didn't go in too deep with this 'new found friendship' of ours, then I would never get hurt when he would suddenly tell me that this was all just a prank to lead me on. That was what I was afraid of the most. That all this happiness that I haven't had in years would just disappear into thin air, and I would wake up to find that it was all a dream.

I didn't want that to happen. Maybe if I learned and hung out with him more, I would see the joke before he pulls the strings. Repeatedly, I told myself to not get in too deep with this. If I were to get

close with him, then I would have to bring up some of the acting skills that I have pent up in me. Daniella, Trish and Frita knew how great I was, and never liked me on stage. They believed my face and my talent didn't mix. They threatened me if I dare expressed it. Well, this was my time to. Two could play at this game.

I turned to Jackson and gave him my brightest smile.

I could have sworn my heart rate picked up when he returned it.

His smile was too perfect...

** ** **

"Why are you frowning?" He asked as we came to a clearing just outside of the woods. I have never been to this part of town before. There seemed to be lots of land for each house and I squinted to see his neighbor's house. Well great, if he just happened to plan a murder for me tonight, I wouldn't be able to scream for help.

"Oh nothing," I replied and continued to follow after him. I gaped at the size of his house. Saying that it was large would be an understatement. "You live in the rich side of town?!" I screeched, not bothering to keep to myself anymore. This was too much! He had a mansion as a home, as I glanced at him, I saw a slight smirk form on his lips. He knew this would be my reaction! Still, you had to admit that the house was nice. It was elegantly designed for the perfect family that would live inside. I never been inside a mansion before. Oh, how today had so many surprises... what next?

Then I remembered to ask him before we went inside, and stood in front of two red big doors that would lead us inside of the house. "Um, Jack." I whispered, just in case anyone happened to be watching or listening to us.

"Yeah, Diana?" He smiled, his hand on the door. My eyes widened as my heart fluttered nervously. I wasn't sure how I was going to approach his wealthy family with my tattered clothes. I reached up to stop his hand from fully opening one of the doors. I pressed myself against it and looked up at him, biting my lip a little.

"What exactly... is the size of your family?" I gazed into his beautiful eyes as he stared back into mine. He then finally noticed the nervousness I felt and chuckled a little.

"I have a baby brother, he's not exactly a baby, but he's nine. That's basically my whole family besides my step-dad and mother." He spoke with that deep tone of his, adding on a hidden charm in his words. I noticed the way his eyes sparkled when he spoke of his brother; Jackson must love him a lot. Then, I remembered that he said step dad. What happened to his real dad? I inhaled a sharp breath of air and glanced over at him. He didn't seem to be upset at his step dad, but I still couldn't help but feel sympathetic. I turned my head so that he wouldn't see me doing that. I knew that some people didn't like when other people tried to show their sympathy for them. It made the person feel weak.

"Is your brother here?" I exclaimed, changing the subject. I felt as if, by Jack explaining his family to me, I was somehow closer to him then before. There was a rope that connected us whenever we would talk or just look at each other. It confused me on the most part, but I just went along with it. Somewhere in my mind, I wanted to say, 'Screw not trying to be close with this guy! I want to be happy!'. And I really did want to be happy. Lets just say, I couldn't help but savor the happy moments that Jack and I had so far.

We went upstairs without anyone noticing us. I was glad that his parents didn't see me because I knew that if I saw their faces scrunch up in disgust, the first thing I would do is high tail out of here. I wouldn't even be hesitant about it. The staircase was long and spiraled up to where I guessed the bedrooms were.

"There are four floors in this house," Jack abruptly said when the silence between us had become a little awkward. Not like I minded it, I was too busy looking around his house and observing things that I haven't seen before in my life. I had also enjoyed catching glimpses of Jack's baby photos that were hung on their own wall. I almost snorted with laughter, but held it in before Jack could look at me.

"Really? Wow..." I was completely struck with amazement when we hit the first floor, at the end of the hallway there was a huge balcony that had things you could lounge around on. I loved his house!

"What school do you go to?" He asked as we made our way up another set of stairs. I was beginning to grow tired but didn't show it.

"I go to Manatage High school." I murmured, not very proud of it. I didn't have friends, I was constantly picked and pummeled by everyone. The only ones who didn't touch me, because they weren't allowed to, was the staff. It wasn't like students are allowed to touch and hurt me, but the teachers just never did anything about it. To be honest, I sort of knew that they were probably being paid off lots of money to keep their mouths shut. I really should go to the police, but what would happen when people come back from jail. I would be screwed!

He stopped on the staircase and turned to me while tapping his chin, "Manatage High School... I think that's the school I'll be going to. I'm new, so that's why you haven't seen me around before! We can be the best of friends once I go to school tomorrow." He said happily.

"Oh that's great!" I exclaimed, and was more sarcastic in my mind than what I let out. I shot him a fake grin while pondering to myself, what I was going to do tomorrow. Well at least I know that he's not working with the popular girls and guys, but he could be in the future. He would be hypnotized by them and once again I would be left alone. Nothing was ever a wish come true, but at least I had fun today. Jackson was going to find out tomorrow that I was hated and always beaten up daily by all of the popular kids in school, even a few peers. He would find out and leave me, maybe he will too be a popular because of his gorgeous face and personality. No... Those evil devils will ruin him and make him into the jocks that already come to our school. He would be mean and cruel- Jackson would be one of the people that would beat me up.

Tears suddenly sprung into my eyes and I was too slow to wipe them away. I began to sob as I thought about the charming stranger that I just met, becoming a cruel mean monster that would abuse me like the others. I imagined his smile, becoming a snarl and the expressing eyes that he had, changing into malevolent black ones. He'll turn into a true devil tomorrow, and only I would know the good part of him that he used to be. Why was I crying over such a thing? Why was I upset because a stranger that made me happy for once, is going to soon turn evil. Maybe that was because there will never be happiness in my life like this ever again.

Jack heard my silent sobs and instantly grabbed me by my shoulders. When he saw my face that was flooded with tears, he wiped the away with the sleeve of his shirt. His eyes held deep concern for me, more deep than they had earlier in the woods, "What's wrong Diana? Why are you crying?" Observing his facial features and expressions, it was almost like seeing me cry hurt him.

I sniffed, trying to act brave. Who was I trying to fool? I was no brave girl. I was not always happy. I didn't always smile or laugh. No, I was always the girl who's known as 'Ugly Betty' or 'Monster'. I am the weakest link to everyone in the school and even at the foster care that I would call my home. I am the girl who is tormented to the point that I want to take my own life. I am the girl with cuts and bruises that are both on the outside and inside, that not always heals. I didn't want to pretend I was the happiest girl alive, because in reality my world is the total opposite.

I was silent and didn't know how to explain to Jackson what I was at school to people or how he would change. The question never lingered in my head that, what if he didn't change? What if he chose to be with me and by my side? What if he chose to be my friend? Well, I didn't believe it. I let those thoughts vanish, because things like that didn't exist. It would be almost impossible for him to go that horrific school and still come out at the end of the day as the kindest person on earth. Not even in a billion years, would it happen.

"Please Diana. Tell me what's wrong..." His soft tone had me bursting out into tears. Would this be the last time that he would be this way with me.

"Jackson... You don't know the real me!" I cried out, and instantly I was in his arms. He hugged me tightly as if he was never going to let go. I cried into his chest, and wrapped my arms around his waist. Somehow, the feeling of being in Jackson's arms as he rubbed my back gently made me feel... loved.