Ashley sat cross legged on her bed finishing up the last of her homework. At least for the first time in a while her parents weren't yelling at each other. The house was pretty quiet which was unusual. She sighed tiredly while she finished the last of her homework.

It was nearly ten when she finally finished. She began to close her books and put them back in her school bag when her phone began to ring. It wasn't a number she recognised and she debated whether to answer it or not.

"Hello," she answered, not sure who would be calling her this late at night.

"I'm outside." It took a few seconds to place the voice.

"Maddox?" she asked, incredulous. Why on earth was he calling her? Or more importantly, how did he even get her number?

"I'm outside," he repeated. Curiosity made her go over to her bedroom window and peer out to see him leaning casually against the side of his car which was parked outside her house.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, feeling annoyed. Their eyes met and she felt a flutter inside her chest. Why was he the one to make her feel? Why did it have to be him? And why was he here? Was he stalking her?

"Meet me outside and I'll tell you why I'm here."

"No." Her response was firm and unwavering. Whatever game he wanted to play, she wasn't playing. She had told him to leave her alone and he just wouldn't listen. What was it with him?

"You're going to make this difficult, aren't you?" he sighed.

"I'm not going to do it," she explained flippantly. This guy was really getting on her nerves. Who did he think he was, coming into her life and thinking he had a right to tell her what to do?

"Are you always like this?" he questioned lazily, she could hear amusement in his voice.

"Yes. I don't go out to meet strange guys late at night," she whispered angrily.

"I'm not a stranger," he countered confidently.

"Listen Maddox." She looked up to the ceiling to reign in her temper. "I don't know why you've suddenly taken an interest in me but... stop." She held the curtain tightly in her hand watched him from her bedroom window. "I don't need or want your help."

He sighed. "Don't make me play dirty." His words were light but his tone left her with no doubt there was an underlying threat.

"What does that mean?" she glared crossly at his dark figure.

"It means you have five minutes to get your ass downstairs."

She wanted to tell him no but Maddox Larson wasn't someone who made empty threats. But what could he really do to her? She bit her lip as she tried to think of what he could possibly do and she couldn't think of anything.

He hung up and folded his arms. He knew exactly how to get her to do what he wanted and it made her angry. Damn him.

She twirled around and made a beeline for her door. How dare he make demands on her and then have the audacity to threaten her. Did he do this type of thing often? Making threats to get what he wanted.

She opened and closed the front door quietly so her parents wouldn't hear before she stalked to where Maddox pushed himself off his car.

"I don't like being threatened." It was dark except for the light from the nearby streetlight illuminated his face for her to see his smirk.

"If you weren't being so difficult I wouldn't have to." He arched an eyebrow at her and she frowned.

Even though she was angry his full attention on her did strange things in her stomach.

"What do you want?" she asked through clenched teeth checking over her shoulder to make sure her parent's bedroom light was still off. Her parents would have a hissy fit if they discovered her meeting a boy outside at this time of night.

"I told you before I can help you. I want to show you something," he replied softly when her gaze returned to him. "All I'm asking for is the chance to show you I can help you."

She glared at him wishing it was within her power to make him disappear an. "And what do you get out of this?" Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. She still couldn't figure out why he cared.

"I get to know I won't find you playing with death again."

For a few serious moments she held his gaze while she bit her lip contemplating his motives. Her gut told her there was more behind his actions than that but knew he wouldn't tell her if she asked.

"I won't give up," he added as he studied her.

She didn't know him that well but what she did know of him so far she knew he wouldn't give up until she agreed. It was just one night and then she would be rid of him.

"Fine." She gave in. "One night."

He smiled. "I'll take it." He held out his hand to her.

Reluctantly she placed her hand in his. The strength and the warmth of his handshake sent an awareness through her she didn't like one bit but was unable to fight it. Honestly she didn't want to spend anytime in his presence but she had agreed to his request for one night and she was determined that was all she was going to give him.

"So what are we going to do?" she asked, allowing her arms to drop to her sides.

"I don't want to ruin the surprise." His eyes danced with mischievous intent and she couldn't squash her intrigue.

"I don't like surprises," she mumbled. He opened the passenger side and she got in.

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" He winked at her and she swore her stomach did a somersault.

Feeling more grumpy she watched him as he walked around the front of his car to slide into the driver's seat trying to sort though the mixed feelings she had for him. On one hand she didn't want anything to do with him but on the other she was curious as to what he had planned.

He gave her a side glance before he started his car. "You ready?"

She shrugged. "It's not like I have much of a choice."

He shook his head as his grin grew and she averted her gaze when her chest did a weird fluttering thing.

"No music," she commented when the silence in the car intensified the awkwardness she was feeling.

"We don't want to attract attention," he murmured.

Attract attention? What was he planning? Her curiosity peaked.

His side glance took in her attire. "And it's a good thing you're wearing black."

"Are we doing something we shouldn't?" She raised eyebrow.

"It depends on your perspective." He was being too vague for her liking which probably meant it was something illegal.

"Where are we going Maddox?" she asked again, hoping this time he would reveal his intention.

"Relax Ash." He didn't even look in her direction as he continued to drive.

She didn't recognise the surrounding neighbourhood. They were on a residential road but she didn't really know anyone who lived in the area.

"Tell me what we are going to do," she demanded, feeling her temper rise. He was the most obnoxious, irritating, annoying person she had ever met.

"We're nearly there." His words did nothing to ease her growing anxiousness.

The car slowed and came to a stop.

"Where are we?" she found herself asking in a whisper while she studied the surrounding houses.

He didn't say anything instead he reached from something in the bad seat and handed it to her. "Hold onto these."

It was a carton of eggs. "Eggs?" Somehow she didn't think they were going to be baking.

She was about to get out of the car and toss them at him but he seemed to sense her unwillingness, his hand covered her hand resting on the top of the eggs. "Trust me."

She should have just said no but there was something in his eyes and in the tone of his voice that stopped her.

"But I don't know you." They had been going to the same high school for years but they were just strangers passing each other in the hallways. "Why would I trust you?"

"I didn't tell anyone about finding you standing on a ledge," he reminded her, but it wasn't enough to convince her. He let out an irritated sigh removing his hand from her. Momentarily she missed the warmth of his skin against her and then felt disgusted that she felt that way. "Any other person would have told someone. There is a high rate of suicide in teenagers and if it had been anyone else they would have had you committed to some sort of programme already."

She blinked. It was something she hadn't even considered.

"I'm asking you to trust me," he added. Still unable to say anything she nodded tightening her hold on the package in her hands.