AJ pushed open the door of the dirty blue ninety one Honda and got out. Darkness rushed over the house as he stared up at it then he looked over at the pourche and felt like crawling back in the car. She stood on the pourch with a look of pure anger on her face and Kellie stood next to her with a smug look on her face.

    "Where the fuck have you been?"screamed Jesse McPhee storming over to him. AJ looked over at Kathy who ignored him and walked back in the house from the car.

    "And what's this shit Kellie's been telling me that your fucking some cheerleader,"screamed Jesse again. Her brown hair was flying around her and she gave AJ a piece of her mind.

    "Is the same prep bitch who's name you said? Is it?"yelled Jesse,"I'll kill her."

    "No you won't,"said AJ calmly.

    "Like hell I won't,"screamed Jesse,"Who the fuck do you think you are? Running around fucking should whore behind my back."

    "You call her a whore?"asked AJ,"I'd like to know your defination of whore Jesse, bitch you ran around and fucking every guy that would shove his dick between your legs when we together."

    "We still are together you asshole,"said Jesse with her voice still full of anger. AJ looked at her and almost wanted to laugh, here was this girl who was deadly skinny from drugs, long stringy brown hair and was dressed in old stained clothes that barely covered anything, compared to Amber she was street shit.

    "Oh fuck you Jesse, you bitch I don't even want my name coming from your mouth,"said AJ. Jesse stood there as the blood drained from her face, she looked like she was going to drop any minute.

    "I'm going to go kill that bitch, that fucking blond skank,"yelled Jesse walking past AJ. AJ quickly turned and grabbed the back of her hair pulling her back to him.

    "I swear to fucking god, you touch her, you even fucking look at her I will kill you,"said AJ pulling a knife to her throat. AJ let go of her hair and shoved her away.

    "That's it you are both going to die,"said Jesse walking away from AJ,"I swear to god, AJ, trust me, the buys and I are gonna make you in to dog shit." AJ stared at her until she was out of sight then he turned to see Kellie on the pourch.

    "You get the hell out of my way before you wish you were her,"growled AJ watching her run back into the house. AJ walked back into the house and found Kevin sitting in the living room.

    "Could you be any louder out there?"asked Kevin not taking his eyes away from the TV.

    "Where's your bike? Did you sell it?"asked AJ.

    "No it's in the back yard why?"asked Kevin.

    "I'm borrowing it,"said AJ before leaving the room and walking out to the kitchen.

    "Why? Where the hell are you going?"asked Kevin following AJ.

    "Where are you going?"asked Kathy sternly as she stood in the kitchen.

    "To Nick's,"said AJ pulling open the backdoor.

    "You really think your going out after this afternoon?"asked Kathy.

    "Look if you think I'm going to stay here because you say so and that skank Jesse does anything to Amber, trust me when I'm finished with Jesse you'll wish you were in another country,"said AJ before walking outside. Kevin was quick on his heels.

    "So your really for this Amber chick?"asked Kevin as AJ pulled the bike from the ground.

    "She's amazing,"said AJ.

    "Can I meet her?"asked Kevin.

    "Yeah I'll see what I can do,"said AJ,"If Jesse comes back you tell her I'm at Nick's and that if's she's got shit with Amber she comes to us about it." AJ put his foot on the pedal and started pedalling down the drive way as fast as he could then sharply turned on to the street. The wind blew past him as he pedalled to Nick's, all he could think about was Amber and what he would do to Jesse if she hurt her at all. Amber was fine for now, Jesse wouldn't try to do anything to her well she was at home but she'd try to go after her at school and as much as he trusted Jeff and his friends would probably step in he had no idea what Jesse was going to do.

    Fifteen minutes later AJ got off the bike and dropped it in the drive way of a house smiliar to his, Nick lived in Valley House. It was a group home for teens who were frequent visitors of juvenlle hall and didn't take well to rules, he had met Nick in a holding cell one night and the two quickly befriended.

    AJ quickly ran up to the front door and knock twice. Moments later the door was swung open by Nick.

    "McLean what the fuck you doin here?"asked Nick letting AJ in.

    "Need help,"said AJ.

    "What's going on?"asked Nick with a concerned look on his face.

    "You know that slut Jesse McPhee?"asked AJ.

    "Your old bitch?"asked Nick.

    "Yeah, well seems she's got something out for my new girlfriend and me as well,"said AJ.

    "So what are you worried about?"asked Nick leading him into the living room. The couches were covered in empty pizza boxes, clothes, binders, empty cigarette packs and other odds and ends. AJ shoved a pile of junk on to the floor and sat down on the love seat.

    "Well see Amber, she's ain't exactly the type that could defend herself to well,"said AJ.

    "Oh come on, any chick could take Jesse on,"said Nick,"She can't dodge a knife worth a shit, you know that." AJ ran his hand through his hair and sighed.

    "I know, but see Amber, the girl has probably never even been in a cat fight before,"said AJ,"Amber, she's uh, well she lives up on Carrigan." Nick looked skeptical for a moment then shook his head.

    "Tell me how the fuck you got hooked up with a girl from Carrigan,"said Nick,"Rat shit McLean dating a rich girl?"

    "Long story, but Nick I'm serious here I'll kill that bitch if she hurts Amber,"said AJ.

    "Fine I'll get Richard and Steve to go give her a visit,"said Nick,"But you with a fucking rich girl?"

    "Look she's clean, she's good, she's not a fucking slut like the rest of those bitches we know, she takes care of herself,"said AJ.

    "Fine I wanna meet her,"said Nick,"I wanna make sure your not bullshitting me."

    "I dunno what time is it?"asked AJ.

    "Eight thirty,"said Nick looking at the VCR.

    "Fine gimme the phone,"said AJ pulling out a piece of paper from his pocket that Alanha gave him with Amber's phone number on it. Nick tossed him the cordless and AJ clicked talk and dialed in the number. After one ring there was an answer.

    "Hello,"Amber's voice was tired and stressed.

    "Hey Barbie,"said AJ.

    "AJ, oh hi,"said Amber.

    "Something up?"asked AJ.

    "Just Martin,"said Amber,"What happened today?"

    "I'll tell ya later, uh the mall's still opened right?"asked AJ.

    "No but Starbucks is,"said Amber,"Why?"

    "Can you meet me there in fifteen?"asked AJ.

    "How come?"asked Amber.

    "A friend of mine wants to meet you,"said AJ.

    "Um okay,"said Amber uneasily,"At Starbucks?"

    "Yeah,"said AJ,"In fifteen minutes."

    "Okay,"said Amber.

    "Kay, bye Barbie,"said AJ.

    "Bye,"said Amber hanging up the phone. AJ clicked the off button then handed the phone back to Nick.

    "C'mon we gotta be at Starbucks in fifteen,"said AJ standing up.

    "She really that good?"asked Nick standing up as well.

    "She's a knock out,"said AJ.

    "She better be,"muttered Nick as he followed AJ out.

    Amber hung up the phone and looked around.

    "That was strange,"sighed Amber,"But least I get out of hell." Amber looked down at her clothes, she was wearing a pair of jeans and a small cropped white tank top. She immediately pulled her top off and opened her closet she looked through her tops then pulled a pale pink V-neck sweater from the closet and pulled it on as it clung tightly to her ribs and chest. Amber grabbed her black heeled boots and pulled them on then grabbed a black hair scrunchie along with her car keys then left her room.

    "Where are you going?"asked Will. Amber turned to see her father walking down the hall to her.

    "Out to meet AJ,"said Amber starting down the stairs,"I'll be back soon."

    "All right,"said Will. Amber pulled her curly hair into a ponytail then grabbed her black leather jacket on her way out. She ran out into the cold weather and opened her car door.

    Fifteen minutes later she was sitting outside at one of the patio tables with a coffee and was smoking a cigarette as she spotted AJ walking up with a guy about his height and black hair. Amber stood up as they approached her, AJ put his arms around her pulling her close to him then he lightly pressed his lips against hers. They parted with Amber smiling brightly as she looked over at his friend.

    "Barbie, this is Nick,"said AJ.

    "Hi,"said Amber softly.

    "Hi,"said Nick looking her up and down,"McLean you were right." Amber blushed as AJ pulled her down to his lap.

    "So Amber, you know a chick named Jesse McPhee?"asked Nick sitting down across from them. Amber shook her head.

    "Should I?"she asked.

    "Maybe,"said Nick,"If you hear of anyone by that name or any chick comes around you with that name, get the fuck away from her and tell AJ."

    "Why?"asked Amber,"Who is she?"

    "Nobody Barbie,"said AJ taking her cigarette and puffing a drag from it.

    "Well she must be someone,"said Amber.

    "Just let her know McLean,"said Nick,"She's AJ's ex bitch, real skank everyone hates her, ever wonder why Hastings smells like fish? Well it's because Jesse hasn't learnt how to keep her legs shut yet. Well she's after you for some reason, McLean hasn't spilled it yet." Amber looked down at AJ.

    "I kinda said your name before when Jesse and me were making out,"said AJ quietly,"It was before I even started anything with you." Nick looked at them then started laughing.

    "God and we all would've thought it was the other way around,"laughed Nick. Amber looked at the two of them with a worried expression on her face.

    "So what do I have to do with this?"asked Amber.

    "She's determined to come after you then move on to me,"said AJ softly,"But don't worry we've got things covered."

    "Yeah I called a few of my homies and their looking for Jesse right now,"said Nick,"She's not gonna do shit to you. But just be careful." Amber nodded this was all starting to scare her, here she was and some crazy girl was coming after her then she remembered what Alexa told her about what happened with her and AJ in the parking lot that day, if she wasn't afraid to go after AJ with a knife then she'd kill her.

    "Kay well ya know what I gotta jet,"said Nick noticing the worried look on Amber's face and left AJ to comfort her.

    "See ya round,"said AJ.

    "Bye,"said Amber softly. She watched as Nick dissappeared into the darkness then turned to AJ.

    "You need to explain,"said Amber.

    "What do you want first?"asked AJ taking another puff of the cigarette.

    "This afternoon,"said Amber.

    "The fire alarm wasn't me, I got arrested because one of those student teachers told me I was stupid so I decked him,"said AJ. Amber looked down then at AJ.

    "Ya know you can't be with me twenty four hours a day,"said Amber,"And how do we know for sure this chick isn't going to come after me?"

    "Barbie don't worry,"said AJ,"Jesse may lip you off but that's as far as she's getting, anyways don't most of those guys you go to school with play for teams or something?"

    "Yeah,"said Amber nodded.

    "Well trust me if you had yourself you could knock Jesse out, she's not as tough as she looks." Amber went silent and leaned back against AJ as he wrapped his arms around her waist, she craddled her coffee cup in her hand as she closed her eyes.

    "Are you okay?"asked AJ softly.

    "I dunno,"said Amber,"This morning everything was fine, I woke up to you, went to school then bang you get arrested and I find out I've got some pyscho bitch after me."

    "Don't worry everything is going to be okay,"said AJ squeezing her slightly. Amber closed her eyes praying AJ's words were true. Amber slowly stood up out of AJ's embrace.

    "I gotta go home." Amber set her cup back on the table.

    "Barbie,"said AJ softly as he stood up behind her.

    "Do you need a ride anywhere?"asked Amber softly her voice almost catching his her throat.

    "I guess so,"said AJ. Amber looked down then grabbed her coffee cup and lead AJ off the patio over to her car. AJ looked over her white camero covertable.

    "Isn't Barbie to have a pink convertable?"asked AJ. Usually Amber would've smiled but she couldn't pull herself to do it she just wasn't in the mood. Amber clicked the remote on her keys and opened the door to the driver's seat. She looked over at AJ as she started the ignition.

    "Where ya need to go?"asked Amber.

    "Maple Road,"said AJ. The two drove in complete silence for twenty minutes as Amber held back tears, she didn't know why she wanted to cry, she wasn't much of a cryer, never was but lately she just needed the emotional release but couldn't do it all alone.

    "That's it,"said AJ pointing to a small blue house. The paint was chipping and a dirty old Honda hatchback sat in the drive way. Dim lights blared through the windows, just then the front door swung open and a skinny boy with a bleached yellow mushroom cut came racing out with another girl a bit on the chunky side and long bleached white hair following him. AJ stepped out of the car as Kelly threw one of her heels at Kevin then stopped dead in her tracks and looked at AJ. Amber slowly slipped out of the car and closed the door behind her as she stood against it. AJ took a look at the girl then stormed over to her as the Kevin sat on the lawn holding the back of the head where the heel clipped him, he looked up at Amber then over at AJ who was yelling at Kelly. He slowly stood up and walked over to Amber.

    "Are you Amber?"asked Kevin. Amber nodded easing up a bit.

    "I'm Kevin,"said Kevin holding out his hand. Amber slowly shook his hand and noticed that AJ pushed the other girl away from him as she tried to put her arms around him. Kevin followed Amber's gaze then looked back over at her. AJ was right she's goregous thought Kevin.

    "She's always trying to do that, I don't know why AJ can't stand the skank,"said Kevin,"There's no comparing you with her." Amber looked down at Kevin with his comment. Finally Kelly turned and stormed into the house leaving AJ walking back into the car.

    "Kev you okay?"asked AJ.

    "Yeah," nodded Kevin removing his hand from his head.

    "Kev, Amber, Amber Kevin, he's my foster brother,"said AJ.

    "Wow AJ you weren't telling the truth when you said she was beautiful,"said Kevin smiling,"She's an angel." Amber smiled and blushed.

    "Well hands off shortie,"said AJ.

    "Whoa, nice car,"said Kevin adverting his attention

    "Take a good look shortie, cause you'll probably never see one again,"said AJ.

    "I know,"said Kevin looking the car over,"Can I get a ride in it?"

    "Stupid she's gotta go home,"said AJ. Amber smiled at Kevin, he looked so young but looked like he'd seen so much he shouldn't have.

    "Sure,"said Amber.

    "Nah that's cool,"said AJ. Amber cocked her head to the left.

    "Then you can stay,"said Amber.

    "You serious?"asked Kevin with his eyes lighting up.

    "Yeah,"said Amber.

    "Oh shit, man can we have the roof down?"asked Kevin.

    "Sure but ya might want a jacket,"said Amber. Kevin smiled then took off running into the house.

    "You sure, cause you can get home it's late,"said AJ.

    "Wanna drive?"asked Amber.

    "What?"asked AJ.

    "Wanna drive?"asked AJ. AJ looked at her like she was crazy as Amber stood there with a sweet smile on her face, she is an angel thought AJ.

    "I don't have a lisence,"said AJ.

    "Can you drive?"asked Amber.

    "Yeah but,"said AJ who was cut off by Amber.

    "If anything happens my Dad can cover it,"said Amber as Kevin came running out. Amber dropped her keys into AJ's hand then walked over to the passenger's side door where Kevin was waiting to go into the back. Amber pulled open the door then pushed back the seat and let Kevin crawl into the back. Amber pushed the seat then crawled in along with AJ who quickly started the igntion. Amber reached over and pressed the button for the roof, then slowly the roof started folding back. AJ stepped on the gas and pulled out of the drive on to the street.