• I had my nose in a book as always when I felt a tap on my shoulder. When I looked up from my book, I found one of the snobs looking at me. I glared back. I didn't like the boy to begin with. He was always mean to me when he was with his posse. After glaring, I went back to my book as if he never existed. I've had this problem before. Since for some reason guys seem to like my looks, they try to flirt with me when I'm reading. I just ignore them until they become an issue.

    The next thing I knew I was holding air. I looked up fromt the corner I was sitting in. Of course it was the same snob who tapped my shoulder. I sneered at him. Challenging him to close my book. If he did that, it would give me an excuse to kick him... hard.

    "Why did you take my book? Are you going to try and flirt with me like the rest of the guys who dared to take my book?" I said in an icy tone. By this time, he had closed the book and was reading the back of it. Totally ignoring me. Which was pissing me off. So I did the only thing I could think of. I kicked him hard in the shin. Which led to a yelp of pain and him dropping the book. I snatched it back, got up and left going to a different hiding place. I was so mad at him that I was muttering profanities at him under my breath. When I got there, no one was around. Perfect. I sat down again and read some more.

    I was in the middle of a suspenseful part when the book was grabbed out of my hands again. This time, I just kicked out. I didn't care who it was. I was tired of being interrupted!

    "Whats with the violence?! I just wanted to see what you were reading. First you glare at me, then you kick me hard. And now you tried to kick me again. You missed by the way. I'm going to take this book, read the back and give it back.... O mighty one." The snob told me. He ran off with my book. I ran after him cursing the whole time. He just laughed. When I turned a corner, he was gone! I stomped my foot in frustration and started to cry. I sat down in the middle of the hallway and waited for the snob to give me back my book. I sat there for a couple minutes just sobbing silient tears. I didn't like my friends (books) to be away from me for long.

    "You look pretty when you cry. Here's your book back." the snob gave my book back and flinched. He was expecting me to kick him again. I just stared at him in disbelief. He gave my book back... that was nice. I got up from where I was sitting and just stood there.

    "Aren't you going to assault me? I was impressed by your curses earlier. And you kick pretty hard... for a girl. But why such a dreary book? You seem like someone who would enjoy something from Tamora Pierce. Or perhaps a comedy from Shakespeare. Not war stories. Anyway, I gottta go. I'm late for work." He smiled at me before brushing past me but I didn't notice. I was frozen where I stood. I was still in shcok that he gave me back my book. No one had done that before. I shook myself out of it and went to my favorite spot to read. A bookstore. Not any bookstore, a used bookstore. Nothing more perfect than that.

    When I went into Val's Used Bookstore, the snob greeted me. I ignored him and went to my favorite section. The non-fiction section. Hardly anyone is there. I was reading when I felt something by my side. They were books! I was astounded. Until I saw the authors. Tamora Pierce, Edgar Allen Poe, Shakespeare and of course Bram Stoker. I had already read all of Poe's work so I set those aside. I read the backs of the other books and deemed them worth trying. I got up, paid for the books and went on my way home.

    On the way home, I hid my books. If dad found out I read all day instead of working he would burn all of them. He was that cruel. When I got home, I said hello to my dad and mom. I ate dinner, and went to my room where I secretly read. I was once again reading when I felt a vibration next to me. Startled a squeaked. It was my phone! No one called me or texted me. Why should they? When I saw the number I didn't know who it was. I answered the phone.

    "Hello?" I asked tentatively.

    "Hey bookworm! We never said who we were and I wanted to introduce myself. My name is Thom. I never got yours but I see you come in every day at the bookstore. Val says you work at a pet store. What is your name by the way?" Thom the snob asked. I was astounded that he got my number.

    "How did you get this number? You might as well know my name. My name is Wren. I do work at the pet store. Its easier for me to deal with aniamls than people. Um, thanks for giving my book back." I replied back. I was actually having a conversation with someone. Even if he was a snob. There was a knock on the door.

    "I gotta go. I'll call you later." I hung up before he could say anything else. I opened the door. It was dad and he was calm. A little too calm. I became aprehensive. Perhaps I should get out of my room and see what he wants. I got out of my room and closed the door behind me.

    "Who was that Wren? Who were you talking to? I hope you were studying for school." He said in a calm voice. I could tell he was going to do something to me. I was wearing boxer shorts and a tank top.

    "Just someone I met today dad. Nothing to worry about. No I wasn't studying dad. Its Friday. I have all weekend to study." I told him wearily. Dad could be such a p***k sometimes. He seemed to realize it was actually Friday. He looked around to make sure that mom wasn't around then grinned maliciously at me. I knew what would come next. I froze with terror in my eyes. I was NOT going to go down to the basement with dad. Unfortunately, that was what he had in mind. Dad is a strong man. I'm a skinny, lightweight girl. He simply threw me over his shoulder and headed to the basement...

    After he was done violating me, I put on my clothes and ran to my room. There, I packed up a duffel with clothes, books I had hidden and anything worth taking. I packed up my backpack as well. When that was done, I made sure I heard snoring from the basement before calling Thom. He picked up at the first ring.

    "Hey Wren! What's up?" He asked in a cheery voice. What I was going to ask him to do for me was insane. I took a deep breath.

    "Um... Could you pick me up at my house? I know we just met but, um could you please? And when you get here could turn your headlights off? I need to get out of the house." My voice was cracking. I could feel tears welling up. There was a long silence on the other end.

    "Wren is something wrong? Are you sneaking out? I'm more than happy to pick you up but where are you going to stay?" He asked in a worried tone.

    "I need to go to the police. Yes I'm sneaking out. my dad just raped me and I have DNA to pove it. After I go to the police, I don't where I would stay. Could you pick me up now? I can give you the address."I answered in a weak voice.

    "I'm on my way. I'll need your address." He seemed a bit upset. I gave him the address then hung up. I made sure I had everything I needed then waited for Thom's call. He called me after half an hour. I got up, made sure the coast was clear and opened my window. I beckoned to him to stand under the window. I threw down my duffel and school bag. Then I climbed down the trellis.

    He was loading my stuff into the trunk of his old Thunderbird when I was down. When he was finished, I was already in the car buckled up. He had a somber face when he started the car. We drove to the police station.

    I was processed. swabbed, poked, prodded, and this all happened in my boxers and tank top. Dad was brought in, questioned and went throught the same process as me. By the time it was all over, it was well into the night. I wasn't going to go home. Through the whole ideal, Thom waited for me. I was tired by the time it was over.

    "So, where are you going to stay?" asked Thom. I just shrugged. I had no clue where I was going to go. I was too tired to care.

    "Come on. You can crash at my house. I have an extra bedroom anyways." He said while pushing me towards the car. I stayed awake long enough to figure out that he lived alone. He showed the bedroom I could use. I flopped down on the bed and was snoring instantly.

    I woke up in the early morning. I found my stuff already in my room. I changed into my black street pants and a tight fitting black t-shirt. My cropped black hair was a mess. I tussled my hair a little and walked out into the hallway. I smelled bacon and my stomach growled. I followed my nose to the kitchen. There, I saw a strange sight. Thom weating a pink frilly apron and making eggs. I couldn't help but giggle. He turned around and blushed.

    "Hungry? I'm making eggs and bacon." He said sheepishly. He actually was smiling. It suited him.

    "Yeah. Thanks for everything. I need to go out and get some books I've hid. Dad never liked me reading all the time. So I had to hide my books. The food looks good." I was blushing by the time I was done talking. The food was done and we sat down to eat. After we were done eating, I did the dishes while Thom took a shower. When I was done, I left a note for him and left.

    When I got outside, I got my bearings and headed towards the park. I had hidden the books in a nook of a tree. I got them out and looked at them lovingly. I took a walk around the park. I needed to just breathe. It was a beautiful day. The sky was blue, everything was in bloom, and birds were chirping. I was enjoying myself. There was so much to think about. These weird feelings I have about Thom. This sense of freedom is a new sensation for me.

    When I came back to the apartment, Thom was reading a book. I couldn't help but smile. A guy who reads is a guy I could get used to. I admired him for a while.

    "Hey, I'm back. What are you reading?" I announced with a smile. He smiled back. Yeah, I could get used to this. This is so pleasant.

    "The Catcher and the Rye. Did you get what you needed?" He answered. I sat down next to him. I had a thoughtful look on my face.

    " I don't know what this felling is, but I hope it stays. This pleasant feeling." I confessed to him. He just smiled. It was so easy to talk to him. He listened to what I had to say. I just sat next to him and poured my heart out. By the time I was done, I was crying. He just hugged me. No one has done that before.

    "Thom can I live here with you?" I asked him when I was done crying.

    "Of course!" He told me. I sighed and was satisfied.