The rest of the class period, I replay the events that just happened over and over again. As soon as the bell rings, I jump out of my seat and make a run for it. "Where should I go? Maybe home? Dad shouldn't be home until five p.m. today, so I should be fine until then." I decided to run to my car and head home.

As soon as I make it home I run up to my room. I notice my bag sitting near my desk. "Of course I left it there." I start to pace around my room wondering if Mark will come looking for me. "If he comes, will he come up the tree near my window or through the front door? Well, whatever way he doesn't choose I will run in that direction." 

All of a sudden, there's a knock at my door. My heart starts to pump faster and faster. "Should I open it up for him or get a head start..." Just as I decide to jump out my window, Mark is climbing up the tree with Julian. "Why would he bring Julian!" I start to panic wondering if they would notice if I run out the door. 

"Don't you dare run, Easton!" Mark says while taking the last step into my room, with Julian right behind. "So are you going to tell me why you were late this morning?"

"That's all you wanted to know?" I say surprised. 

"Of course, I told you I would follow you until you told me what's wrong?" 

As he says this, I look towards Julian. He looks as concerned as Mark does. Why is he so worried?! He doesn't even know me.

Mark looks in the direction that I am and sees Julian. "Ah, don't worry he won't share any of our secrets."

"How do you know that! And how do you know him?"

Mark looks at me surprised, "You don't remember?"

"Remember what? Someone who's never lived in this town!" As I say this Julian looks so confused and hurt. This is so frustrating!

Mark looks towards Julian and then towards me. "We have a lot to talk about, why don't you sit down."

Huh?! "Your scaring me...the last time this happened..." Mark cuts me off before I can finish my sentence.

Mark comes over and holds me on my bed. "It's okay, I'm here this time so no one can hurt you." I look over at him with tears in my eyes.

"Is this going to be another bad memory?"

Mark looks at me with a painful expression. "One that you didn't remember."

Julian starts to walk towards me with sorrow in his eyes, "I'm sorry that you have to remember this again but you have to know." I look up at him with so much fear not letting go of Mark. "Two years ago, when something bad happened, I was there with you. Things went wrong and you got really hurt. We took you to the hospital and you wouldn't stop screaming at me. I guess the whole experience was more traumatic then anything you have ever experienced before, so you forgot about it." He pauses for a moment, looking up with regret, "Even though you may have forgotten, I have not. And I want to make it up to you."

Mark looks toward Julian with anger and sympathy in his eyes. If Mark doesn't like him, why is he letting him near me. I thought Mark would always protect me. "I want you both out of my house now."

Mark lets his grip on me soften, "You even want me to leave?"

I push away from Marks grip as he tries to tighten it. "Yes! I always thought you would keep your promise and keep me safe... but by allowing this...this asshole in here, who just wants to make up stupid shit to hurt me, just proves you don't care."

Mark starts to build tears in his eyes, "East... you know I would never do anything to hurt you...I just think you need to know what happened to you, two years ago. You... you deserve to know."

I look towards Mark then Julian, "Get out now."

Mark starts to cry as he pushes Julian towards the window, " I'll be back by four to pick you up before your dad gets home." Then they both climb down the tree and back to their cars, driving away as fast as they can.

"What the hell is Mark trying to do... after all we've been through... after all the shit I've been through."