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Chapter 2

David shook his head, it was bad enough for his slut of a mother to drag him out of Sunny California to bitter cold Pine Valley just because her new boy toy got a new job offer and asked her to come along. Also could have been that Trey's father found out he wasn't Leo's father. Or the fact the landlord was a little too suspicious with Vanessa never being around and was threatening to call social services.

And now he had the welcoming committee to deal with, Dixie Cooney, Becca Tyree, and Gloria Marsh. Dixie, the leader of the group, was on the yearbook staff, student council vice president, and sometimes cheerleader. She seemed nice enough, but needy. David laughed the idea off and turned his attention to the front of the class, where his teacher, Dr. Myers was doing a lecture on tomorrow's Biochemistry lab assignment. He was so glad Pine Valley had a Biochemistry class, he felt it was important for his pursuit to become a doctor.

Ever since his father died of a heart attack when he was 12, he knew he had to become a doctor and make sure more broken hearts could be mended with his healing touch. Before he knew it class was over and he was onto his next class.

"David?" Dixie called.

Startled, David nearly dropped his Sociology book on his foot. He quickly caught the book with his knee. The book now safely secured under his left arm he turned, "Hello, Dixie is it?"
Dixie smiled, extending arm, "Yes, are you taking Sociology next period? If so, we have it together. I could save you a few seats in front with me and friends."

David flashed a smile, "That is very kind of you, but-"

"No buts about it David, if we don't save the seat, you will be seating in back, all the front seat and middle seats fill up fast especially if we run late!"

David glanced at the clocked with the sides of his eyes. David started to walk, if this conversation was to continue they could do it while they were walking. He couldn't get detention, he was starting his new after school job today at the free clinic, since Vanessa barely left enough money to feed his younger brothers Trey, who was thirteen, and Leo who was six.

"What's so bad with sitting the back?" David inquired. Once those words came out David's mouth, he knew it was a mistake, but it was too late now.

"Well…" Dixie started, trying her best to be delicate in the matter, "There is that one guy, well, he wears the same shirt every day and, uh then there is another kid, who, I don't think ever saw a tooth brush. And well, it's always where all the Chess and Golf team members discussion how Sociology is important to their meets."

David looked amused, "Well, chess isn't that bad. We better run, or we both will be stuck in the back." In just over a minute David and Dixie made it to their seats, as Dixie promised, Becca had saved them two seats in the front.

"Where's Gloria?" David asked. Why did he keep asking such things?

Dixie rolled her eyes, "Oh that lameo guidance counselor said she couldn't take Sociology with us. I mean doesn't he know that we balanced our schedules around each other since with were in the 5th grade?" David laughed politely as he took his seat.

The teacher began the class starting a lecture of current events, following a class discussion. Various students took place in the discussion. The function of the world, and part Pine Valley has in it. It was a fascinating discussion. At the end of the class the teacher passed out a worksheet the included the homework, project and exam schedule for the marking period.

After class was over, Dixie and Becca followed David to his locker.

As David was putting his books away, Dixie asked, "David do you have A Lunch, B Lunch, or C Lunch?"

David looked down to his schedule, "A Lunch".

"Great!" Dixie exclaimed all excitedly. "Me too! I'm sure Gloria will let you join our table. Come on." She grabbed David's hand and practically led him to the cafeteria. Gloria was waving to the girls.

"Gloria? Can David come sit with us?" Gloria looked concerned and turned to the table making a mental count in her head.

"Well, I don't know…she began, "Alec has an interview for Co-op and is having A Lunch today…" Dixie crossed her arms.

"I mean Becca is such a skinny thing, I know we can squeeze David in there, no offense Becca."

"None taken," Becca assured, but a sad look in her eye intended that maybe she was bored with her place in this little clique not that she would ever admit such a betrayal.

David, seeing this a way to get out, he gave this suggestion, "Well, if the table is too crowded, don't worry about it. I can find somewhere else to go."

Overhearing, Krystal tapped David on the shoulder, "Sorry if I startled you, but we have plenty of room at our table. You're David Hayward, right, the new student I have been hearing about?"

David turned around. "Didn't realize I was so famous."

Krystal chuckled, "Well, we are close knit town in these parts, we notice all new comers, especially fine looking ones like yourself."

Dixie placed her hands on her hips, she was greatly annoyed. "David there is room here, never mind what Gloria Marsh said."

Gloria pointed at Dixie accusingly, "Now Dixie don't be blaming this on me."

"Well, you told me that there wasn't room because of Alec."

David thought about touching Dixie to get her attention, but decided against it, "See you at class tomorrow," he called as he decided to depart with Krystal.

"Thanks," David whispered.

Krystal plastered on her southern smile, "No worries, that group of females can either give you a cavity or a headache in large doses. How did you get hooked up with them anyway?"

"Sociology class. Except Gloria, because the counselor is lameo or something," David mused.

Krystal started to laugh hysterically. "Sorry. May I see your schedule," she added, as she helped herself to the schedule. "Oh, you have a British Lit with my best friend Erica next, don't worry, the posse isn’t in that class," Krystal informed.

David grinned, "Thanks for letting me know. Do we have a class together?"

"Well, we have the same math class. Maybe we can be in the same study group?"

It was a bold question, and she actually did fairly well in Calculus, but the more she talked to Dr. Delicious, she knew he had to be a doctor someday with his delicate hands, the two science classes and Calculus.

"Sounds fun," David responded. The two made it to the table at last and took a seat between Erica and Krystal.

"Where’s Jack?" Krystal asked.

Erica, noticing David, absent-mindedly moved a stray hair behind her ear, "He's setting up for the assembly, remember?"
Krystal shook her head, "Of course. Erica, this is David Hayward, he's new to Pine Valley High, and to Pine Valley. This is my friend Erica I was telling you about."

Erica sent a sidewise glance to Krystal, What did she mean when she said 'telling you about'? "Apparently we have Brit Lit next period," David added. "And you are he asked the woman across him.

Anna waved at David, "I'm Anna Devane, this is my good friend Edmund, and somewhere around here is my sister Alex, who is dating Edmund. You will know who she is when you see her."

As if it was magic, two more people approached the table, "Sorry, I'm late. Mrs. Sommers held us after class," a woman that most have been Anna's twin informed the couple."

She kissed Edmund briefly on the lips before any Public displays of affection patrol stopped them and took a seat next to Edmund.

Edmund looked up at his best friend Tad, "Aren't you joining us today, Tad?"

Tad shook his head, "Nah, I think, I'm going to skip lunch and go to the libarby." He paused for a moment, gesturing to Dixie's table. "Talk to you later."

Once Tad left, Krystal, added in a hushed sigh, "That Dixie really messed him up."

Erica put her hand up, "Don't you think you are drowning Mr. Hayward with such needless gossip? David? Please tell us about yourself."

To Be Continued....

Chapter 4

David walked into his front door, his books in hand. He was running late and didn't have time to drop the books home before he started work. He found a very worried, very annoyed Trey staring at him with his arms folded.

"Trey…" David began his explanation. "I was running late."

"You couldn't call?" Trey argued.

"They didn't give me any breaks It was one emergency after another."

Trey rolled his eyes and turned his back to David.

David sighed. "Trey, I am doing all I can do…where's Leo?"

"He's in bed…"

"No! I'm not! David! You're home!" Leo cheerfully shouted as he jumped up and down wanting David to pick him up. Leo was perhaps getting a bit old for such a thing, but his father, well Trey's father, never really showed much devotion this his "two" children, and a little catch up wouldn't hurt that much.

David smiled at him, kneeling down. " Hey man." He said happily, holding out his hand.

Leo smiled brightly, and slapped his hand. " Can I stay up...with you?" He asked sweetly.

" It's past your bedtime and I have a friend coming over, we have a project to work on." David told him.

" Ya, Erica is coming over." Trey said, drawing out Erica's name.

" Yes she is, and I want you two in bed before she gets here." He told them, " Come on, now."

" Do you like her?" Leo asked innocently.

David nodded, " Of course, she's my friend."

Leo nodded smiling up at him, " Ok, give me a hug and get to bed."

Leo laughed and gave him a quick hug. " Tell Erica I said hi."

David nodded, looking up at Trey. " You too."

Trey just looked at him, " Whatever." He said, rolling his eyes at David, before turning around.

" Trey," David called back to him, " I'm doing the best I can. I'm sorry that I'm not around as much as I used to be. I don't know when Van...mom will be back, and we need the money."

" Ya, whatever." He said again, " Come on, Leo." He said pushing Leo so he would start moving.

He shook his head, watching Trey and Leo head upstairs. Trey wasn't handling this move well, and he was acting out and talking back. He was just a kid, and all the moving, and Vanessa's constant neglect was forcing him to grow up way to fast.

The doorbell ringing a few seconds later brought him back to reality. He smiled at the thought of Erica. He really shouldn't be thinking about her as much as he was, but he couldn't help it. She was so captivating, everything about her fasinated him. He shook his head, still smiling and went to open the door.

" Hi." She said smiling brightly when the door was finally open.

He smiled at her, showing her in.

" Nice house." She mused, looking around.

" Ya, Vanessa likes flashy things." He said, " Can I get you anything?" He asked as they walked into the kitchen.

Erica shook her head, smiling to herself as he pulled out a chair for her.

He sat down next to her, opening his book. " We've been at this for a week, and it's like we've got nothing done." He said with a sigh.

Erica nodded, opening her book. " At least we get to do this with a partner. If I was doing this on my own, I would sleep through it."

David laughed lightly, leaning closer to her as they started tackling the Second Act.

" Your house is so quiet, where are your brothers'?" She asked looking over at him.

" Sleeping." He said his eyes focused on his book.

" No I'm not." Leo laughed from the doorway.

David looked up from his book, " Leo." He said his voice filled with exasperation.

Leo just smiled at him, walking toward them. " Hi." He said smiling up at Erica.

" Hi, you must be Leo?" She said sweetly.

He nodded, " I'm six." He announced proudly.

Erica laughed happily, " Are you? I would have said at least eight."

Leo's smile brightened and he moved closer to Erica. David watched them, with a smile. Leo was a sweet kid who needed a woman in his life to show him some attention, Vanessa never did.

" OK, back upstairs." David finally said, smiling at him.

Leo shook his head, smiling and laughing.

Erica laughed, looked at David, and back at Leo. " Do you think you could at least go to your room, and try to go to sleep? If you can't fall asleep, you can come back down and I'll read you a story."

His face lit up, and he nodded. " Captain Underpants, it's my favorite." He told her grining from ear to ear, " Night." He said, walking over to give David one last hug before running back into the living room and up the stairs.

" He's adorable." Erica said happily.

" He's a good kid. He just needs someone to be a mother to him." David said with a sad sigh, " When Vanessa is here, she's great with him. She tries to over compensate, spoils them, buys toys. But all he really wants is someone to tuck him in at night, and make him breakfast when he wakes up in the morning."

Erica nodded, her smile fading. " If Vanessa didn't want kids, why did she have them?"

David shook his head, and set his book down. " My father wanted kids, I figure she agreed to have me so she could keep him." He said, " Trey and Leo are products of her many affairs. I think it's about money. I figure she would get pregnant so that she can have the father support her. But that backfired, none of them want anything to do with her."

" That's so wrong, using a child like that."

David nodded, " Don't get me wrong, I know she loves us, in her own warped way. She's just not fit to be a mother and I think she knows it."

" Thank god for you." She smiled at him, " You're great with them."

" Really, you got that from not even five minutes with Leo?"

She nodded, " It's in the way he looks at you, you're his hero."

" I do what I can." He said, trying to play off how much it actually meant to him to that she said that.

They talked for a few more minutes, before finally getting back to their project. They wanted to get through with the reading, so they could start rewriting it. But they were getting nowhere fast.

Erica reached for a pencil a few minutes later, " I think this means..." She stopped mid sentence as David's hand brushed hers as he reached for the pencil. It was barely contact but she felt a shutter run down her spine. She pulled her hand away quickly, taking a deep breath as she tried to focus back on her book.

David left his hand where it was, and took a deep breath. Just a brush of her hand was like fire on his skin. He shook his head, and closed his eyes, trying to will himself to keep it together.

They were careful not to get too close for the rest of the night. They didn't know why, but they just felt it was better that they stay as far apart as possible.

Two hours later it was time for her to go. David always being the gentlemen, pulled out her chair and walked her to the door, but was careful not to touch her. He opened the door slowly, and she started to walk out.

" So um...I'll see you tomorrow." She said with a shy smile, stopping in the doorway

David nodded, his eyes locked with hers. They both tired to peel their eyes off each other, both tired to move away, but neither could. It was like they were mesmerized.

" Night." She breathed a few moments later, finally cutting through the tension between them.

" Goodnight." He replied.

She finally found her legs, and was able to tare her eyes from his. She turned around slowly, and walked away.

David closed the door, and turned around, his back against the door. What was he thinking? She was taken, they could never happen. Why couldn't he get her out of his head? Why did just a simple touch of her hand make him feel more alive then he ever had? He shook his head, he wouldn't let himself feel anything for her. He would let himself fall for her...he couldn't.

To be continued...

Chapter 6

David was trying to keep his eyes on his book, but he couldn't stop looking at Erica. But no matter how much he looked at her, she wouldn't look at him. She kept her eyes locked on her book, she refused to make eye contact with him.

" What?" He finally asked her, " What did I do? Why are you so quiet?" He asked his eyes locked on her.

She didn't respond, her eyes still focused on her book.

" Erica...come on, I know you're not reading. You're just ignoring me. What's wrong?"

She shook her head, but still wouldn't look at him. " Why does something have to be wrong? We're partners for this project, David. I'm here to work on our assignment and that's what I'm doing."

He smiled at her, laughing lightly as he shook his head. " Did I do something? It's almost like you're angry at me for something."

" Let's just finish this section, I have to get home." She replied nonchalantly turning her attention back to her book.

David shook his head, " Not until we talk." He told her putting his pencil down. He took a deep breath and reached over, grabbing her hand.

She inhaled sharply, closing her eyes as another shutter ran down her spine. Why did he have this effect on her?

A few seconds later, after finally regaining her composure she finally turned to look at him, " Talk about what?" She fired at him, pulling her hand from his.

" Why you're acting like you're mad at me for something."

" I already told you I'm not mad at you." She told him firmly.

" Then what is it?" He asked curiously, " You're one of the few people that I consider a friend, I hate the idea that I did something to upset you."

She shook her head, throwing her pencil down. " I told you I'm not angry, I'm not upset. I'm just...why Krystal?" She finally said. She gasped a few seconds later, as it dawned on her what she'd just said.

David just looked at her, " That came out of left field. I thought you would be happy for me and Krystal? She's your best friend and all."

" Krystal deserves all the happiness in the world. You're her type, any man is her type. But Krystal, David...Krystal?"

A huge smile spread across David's face, as he realized why she was acting the way she was. She was jealous. " You're jealous." He told her pointedly, still smiling.

" Don't flatter yourself." She fired back, turning away from him.

" Yes you are." He said back to her.

She shook her head, and began to pick up her books. " I think we're done for tonight." She told him, standing up.

" Erica..."

" I'll see you tomorrow." She said quickly, putting her purse over her shoulder.

" Erica...wait a minute." He said to the back of her head as she headed out the door. He got up quickly, heading for the door. He reached the door just as she was about to leave, standing in front of it.

" Get out of the way, David. I have to go."

" You're with Jack, Erica. You say that you love him, so why is it that you aren't happy for me and Krystal?" He asked, he knew the answer but he wanted her to say it.

" Of course I'm happy for you and Krystal. I just didn't know you felt that way about her. I thought you..." She stopped, catching herself before she said.

David just looked at her, waiting to see how she was going to try and get herself out of this.

She looked at him but turned her head as soon as she realized he was still looking at her. " I need to get home." She said quietly, refusing to look at him.

David nodded, still smiling and moved out of her way. He stood still, watching her, waiting tell she had her hand on the doorknob to speak.

" You thought...you thought that I have feelings for you." He said softly.

She froze, her hand still on the doorknob. David took a deep breath and walked closer to her. " Erica, just listen to me for a minute." He asked her softly.

He heard her inhale softly, before slowly turning around. She wouldn't look at him, but at least she was facing him. He took the last step that separated them and put a hand on her cheek, moving her her head up, so she had no choice but to look at him.

" You feel it to, don't you?" He said softly, he was taking this slow, wanting to coax rather then force the truth out of her.
She shook her head quickly, her eyes still on the ground.
David nodded, raising his other hand to her cheek. She gasped and finally looked up at him, her big brown eyes filling with tears. " I have to go." She whispered, but made no attempt to move.

David nodded to her, and leaned in slowly. He expected her to move, to try and stop him, but was pleasantly surprised when she didn't. He pressed his lips to hers, and she responded completely, kissing him back.

This wasn't like the kiss he shared with Krystal earlier. This was a much less passionate kiss, but had so much more feeling, desire, dare he say love, radiating through it.

Erica pushed him away a few seconds later. She stood motionless, looking at him. He smiled at her, keeping his distance. He'd only known her for a few weeks, but he knew her better then he knew anyone else, and could tell by the look in her eyes that she was going to run.

" Erica," He said softly, taking a step towards her.

" I have...I have to, I need to...." She rambled, turning away from him. She grabbed the doorknob and turned it quickly, but she couldn't seem to get it open.

" Maybe we should..." He started, but she shook her head, finally getting the door open.

She hurried out of his room, seeming to almost fly down the stairs. David followed behind her. It was raining heavily, and he didn't want her driving home in the storm when she was so shook up.

Erica got to the front door, and opened it quickly. The wind was howling and the rain was coming down in sheets, and she was fighting to keep the door open. Which David was thankful for, as it gave him time to get to her.

He walked to her, and pushed the door closed. She looked over at him, her expression unreadable. " It's raining pretty hard. I don't want you to drive home..."

" It's fine. I live ten minutes from here." She fired at him. She had her books in her arms, and her arms were crossed.

David nodded, " Look, you're not supposed to be home anyway. Right, you said that you were going to stay at Anna's. She lives even further. We have a guest room, you can just crash here."

She laughed dryly, " Stay here? You must be joking."

" It's not safe to drive and you know it." He told her with a smile, " It's right next to Trey's room. Way, way down the hall from my room." He said with a laugh.

She shook her head. " Unless there's another reason you don't think you can stay in the same house as me?"

" Oh and I suppose you think that I can't possibly keep my hands off you." She asked dryly, less then amused.

He just smiled at her. " You said it."

She shook her head, looking out the window, watching the rain pour down. " Alright, you're probably right, I shouldn't drive home. Just keep your distance." She told him pointedly.
David laughed, smiling at her. She turned her back and headed towards the stairs. He shook his head, he was more confused then ever. She'd kissed him back...she felt the electricity between them. But she wasn't going to admit it, and he wasn't going to make her admit it. He was going to wait, and let her figure it out for herself.

To be continued...

Chapter 8

David pulled Krystal closer, his arm around her waist. It wasn't so much that he wanted to be close to her, but that he still wasn't used to Pine Valley winters...or freak snow storms like the one that had hit last night.

Krystal didn't mind, as she leaned in closer to him. She wasn't in denial, they were moving way to fast, and she suspected that there was more to their relationship then met the eye. But she wasn't going to say anything unless David brought it up.

She listened intently as he told her about Erica crashing at his house the night before.

Krystal shook her head, smiling at David, " No, I'm glad you let her stay at your house. It was raining so hard last night, she probably would have crashed her car."

David nodded smiling at her, " Thanks for understanding."

" Why wouldn't I?" She asked looking at him, " It's not like anything happened." She said with a smile. " I mean why would it? She's with Jack, and you're with me. Actually, I'm happy we can all be friends."

David didn't really hear her. His mind was wandering again, back to Erica, like it always did. He couldn't get their kiss out of his head. She was haunting him, making him crazy...and the image of her in nothing but a towel wasn't helping matters. He wanted to forget her, he wanted to focus on Krystal, but no matter what he did, or how hard he tried his thoughts kept going back to Erica.

"...and I can't wait to meet your brother's." He heard Krystal say. He nodded, pretending that he'd heard everything she was saying. David told her about his brother's as they walked to class.
_________________________

" You stayed the night at his house?" Jack asked again, still not believing what she was saying.

" You're acting like I slept in his bed with him." Erica fired back, shaking her head at him.

" Did you?" He asked narrowing his eyes at her.

" Excuse me?" She fired back at him angrily.

Jack took a deep breath, before looking at her with an apologetic smile. " I'm sorry, Erica. I'm sorry. I just...I don't know. The thought of you alone with another guy, it just gets to me. I trust you, with my life. It's just David, and every other guy that I don't trust."

Erica smiled at him, laughing lightly. " I love you Jack, and only you, you know that. It was raining so hard, and David was right to worry about me driving to Anna's. I slept in the guestroom."

" Couldn't you have called me?" He asked, " I would have come to get you."

" What would that have accomplished?" She asked exasperated, " Then you and I would have both been out in the storm."

" Erica..." He started, " I'm sorry, I'm just not ok with this. I believe you that nothing happened, but the whole idea just doesn't sit right with me."

" Fine then we won't discuss this anymore." She said back to him, " I thought it would be better to be honest with you then to lie. Maybe I should have lied." She rambled, slamming her locker closed.

" I'm glad you told me." He said with a sigh, " I don't mean to over react, Erica. I've just been under so much stress. I didn't mean to take it out on you."

She shook her head, " It's alright, I know how much stress you're under. Let's just forget about it. Didn't mean anything, anyway, and it will never happen again."

Jack nodded, smiling at her. " OK." He said putting his arm around her.
_______________________________

Lunch time came quickly, at least for Krystal. She found herself dying to see David, and lunch was her first chance to do that since they parted for first period.

David was sitting on Krystal's left, and she was as close to him as she could get. She was going on and on about something, and he was trying to listen he really was, but someone had made the mistake of only leaving room for Erica next to him. She smelled like heaven, and he was dying to touch her, and he couldn't peel his eyes away from her soft lips. God he ached to kiss her.

" So ya, what is it like at David's, is he a good house keeper?" Krystal joked looking over at Erica, " Does he keep his room clean?"

" How would I know? I wasn't in his room." Erica responded far more defensively then she'd intended.
David looked over at her, trying not to smile.

"Whoa...I know his desk is up there. Don't freak out. I know you guys weren't up there getting it on or anything." She laughed.

" Nothing happened." Erica replied pointedly.

Krystal looked around David and over at Erica, " OK, so you've said. Not a big deal. Hey, so scoop your prom dress for me."
She nodded, smiling at Krystal thankful for the change of subject, " Well..."

" Hey." Jack said suddenly at Erica's side.

" Nothing happened." She blurted out again.

David, Krystal and Jack stared at her. " Oh, hi." She said with a smile, looking at Jack as he sat down next to her.

" Nothing happened to what?" Jack asked curiously.

" Oh ummm...we'll, see..."

" Nothing happened in 3rd period, just notes and lecture junk." David said, covering for Erica.
She nodded, looking at him out of the corner of her eyes.

" That's what I thought, that class is so boring." Jack said turning his attention to his backpack.

Erica took a deep breath and looked at David, inhaling as her eyes met his. She tried to peel her eyes off but it was like she was mesmerized, hypnotized by the way he looked at her.
Krystal turned to say something to David, but stopped when she saw him and Erica looking at each other.'

" What's up with those two?" Anna whispered in her ear standing over Krystal's shoulder.

Krystal shook her head, she wasn't sure yet...but she was starting to understand. She wondered, had David and Erica started to fall or maybe already fallen for each?

To be continued...

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