The Collins's had left a while ago, they seemed like one little perfect fucking family as much as I would never admit it, I found myself a little envious. I was also close to my mom, but Emily had a father that she was obviously very close to as well.

She had a lot of features like her mother and Elijah, but I couldn't see many similar features between the three of them and Robert. I had also found myself wondering where she had gotten her eyes from, everyone in that family had brown eyes similar to mine but none had her bright blue ones.

I had taken Elijah to my games room to try and win over Emily and by the looks of it, it worked. I wonder how much longer I'd have to wait before I can finally win my game. I hadn't slept with anyone since I had met her, granted it had only been a couple of weeks but I was putting all my energy into winning her over, she was no doubt my hardest conquest yet, but something told me it would be worth it.

I had a race tomorrow, it would be a pretty easy one and I should make a few thousand at least. Anything is good, it gets me one step closer to paying off my biological father's debt. I would never let anything happen to my baby sisters, they were everything good in the world and the fact that he used them as collateral disgusted me, it made me happy that he was in jail.

It was just before 11:00, why the fuck could I not have a picture-perfect family like Emily, or like Toby. It frustrated me to no end the fact that all my friends had a real family and I had what I did. I never complained though, I had my mom and my two sisters, and that was all I had needed. Sometimes, however, the envy would catch up to me and tonight was one of those nights.

Sighing I walk to my room from the twins who had forced me to lie with them and instantly make my way to my window to climb to the familiar roof. I had always found myself on my roof when I wasn't able to go anywhere else.

I look over to Emily's room to see her window wide open, after a minute of unsuccessfully searching for the familiar brunette, I climb out my window and begin the familiar climb to the roof almost mindlessly. I had discovered the roof when I was only 8, I remember having a fight with my mom over my dad and going to my room, I then heard my mom near and I didn't want to talk to her so I thought that hiding outside in the tree was my best option. I had always been adventurous and that was the cause of the first time I had decided to climb the tree ending up on the roof which quickly became 'my place'.

When I had gotten my license, I had found another place up on the hill overlooking the beach, that was another place I would often find myself. My mom knew about the roof but no one had ever seen or knew of my hill spot.

My thoughts get interrupted when I hear Em's familiar, but questioning voice; "Aiden?"

I look up at her in surprise, I definitely didn't expect to run into her up here; "Collins? What the fuck are you doing up here?" I ask stunned. I look up at her and partly wish I hadn't, she was wearing black sweats and a guy's jumper, presumably Luke's, but what caught my attention was the fact that her hair was wet and I don't know about you, but there was something about that picture that had always been a huge turn-on for me.

"I don't know, thinking?" she replies awkwardly.

"Yeah, I usually sit up on the roof to think as well" I admit sheepishly, not one to talk about emotions, I look at her and can tell straight away that she needed this time to think more than I did; "but I'll leave so you can have some time to think for yourself," I smile genuinely, I was hoping to sit up there but she needed it more and I would never admit it out loud but I was actually becoming quite fond of the brunette. I was glad that winning my game would be easier considering my target was tolerable, perhaps even likable.

"No, come join me" Em smiles sweetly, although a part of me knew that she didn't really want company, that didn't stop me from grinning and climbing to sit beside her. I had to take any opportunity that I could to win the game, and as strange as it was, a part of me actually wanted her company.

We sit for a while, neither of us talking lost in our own thoughts. Thoughts on my father dance around in my head, would I turn out to be like him? He was a selfish man, only caring about himself and what he could gain. A part of me knew that every time I played a girl, I was becoming more like him. I hated that more than anything but sleeping with girls took my mind off things. It's funny how something as simple as playing girls can be the cause of both my worst nightmare and greatest pleasure. I knew it was bad, my mom always hated it but it also made me forget and I wasn't able to pass up that opportunity.

A large gust of wind blows by and I notice Em shivering a little and holding herself tighter; "cold?" I ask not realizing the sad tone that would come out.

"A little" she smiles as she looks at me.

"Wait here," I say quickly as I descend down the tree to get a blanket for her, I don't wait for her reply.

I grab the blanket at the bottom of my bed and climb back up the tree passing it to her as I make the final climb and sit beside her once again. Almost instantly she throws the blanket over us both and I'm momentarily surprised, I wasn't even that cold but she did it so effortlessly that I couldn't find it within me to object.

"What are you thinking about?" I ask after a moment, I was curious, since the first time I had met Em she never gave away what was going on in her head. I found it so hard to read her which was unusual for me, but it made her all the more intriguing.

She shakes her head, refusing to share, "what are you thinking about?"

"Touché" I chuckle then continue; "okay how about I answer one of your questions and then you answer one of mine" I suggest, still trying to figure her out.

"Okay, you start, but some passes are allowed" Em replies pointedly making me grin.

"Favourite color?" I ask.

"Purple" she replies instantly; "what's yours?"

"Black" I grin proudly causing her to laugh, cliché I know. "Favorite food?"

"Do cookies count?" she asks in a child-like curiosity, I nod smiling. "What's yours?" she continues.

"Pizza" I reply chuckling at our back and forth conversation; "okay new rule, you can't ask the same questions I do."

She rolls her eyes but smiles in agreeance before asking another question; "okay, um...do you play any sport?"

"I box sometimes, and I used to play football but then...other things came up" I reply thoughtfully. I used to box before I got into racing and was really good at it, I still train when I get the chance but it isn't nearly as often as I wished it was.

"What other things?" she asks curiously looking up at me from under her eyelashes.

I smirk in response; "wait your turn", she rolls her eyes but a smile graces her lips so I take it as my cue to continue; "favorite sex position? Mines anything where you're involved," I flirt, winking jokingly. She looks at me exasperated making me laugh loudly but ask another question anyways; "just kidding, favorite TV show?"

"Ummm The Vampire Diaries" I chuckle, so predictable. I don't understand everyone's obsession with the show, I'm way hotter than the two brothers I hear so much about, granted I had never actually seen the show but we all knew that I was way too badass for that.

"Do you have a Job?" Em asks, I quickly respond trying to divert the question.

"If you're looking for a male escort that looks as good as I do, then I'll do it for you for free" I wink. She rolls her eyes, not questioning my response which I was grateful for.

It was my turn and there was a question I had wanted to ask but wasn't sure I should. I had remembered at dinner when she had said she was feeling claustrophobic that Elijah looked at her worriedly before switching with her instantly. I had been observant enough to realize that he did for a reason. Why did he move so easily and why did he look at her like that?

After another few seconds, I look at her. I guess now is as good a time as any; "why did Elijah swap spots with you so easily when you said you were claustrophobic at dinner?" I ask her cautiously, trying to be as gentle as possible.

She looks like she's debating telling me before she finally sighs, she doesn't look at me but answers my question; "Umm, I used to get panic attacks" she eventually replies hesitantly, still refusing to get eye contact.

I don't know what it was, maybe it was the vulnerability in her eye or the information I hadn't expected, but something made me want to protect her. She had panic attacks for a reason, something terrible must have happened to her. I looked over at her, wondering what it was that triggered my protective instinct, but instead just saw a girl, one that had no doubt been through something terrible.

I erase my thoughts and look at her, waiting for her to ask her question.

"What other things happened?" she asks, probably thinking back a few questions.

"Just family stuff" I reply nonchalantly, trying to brush the question off. She nods at me in acknowledgment.

"Why do you get panic attacks?" I ask instantly, regretting the words as soon as they leave my mouth when I see the look in her eyes. She obviously doesn't realize that I caught her panic and instead puts on a brave face.

"Just family stuff" she winks at me, using my words against me. I laugh wholeheartedly.

She had an aura of innocence and although she was hotter than hell, she never used it to her advantage. She was completely oblivious to all the guy's lustful stares. She had stayed naive and innocent even through whatever had happened to her. She had obviously experienced the real world but continued to be so full of life. It was admirable, I had also experienced things that no teenager should but unlike her, it had made me cold and selfish. Instead of the warm child I had used to be, I had become arrogant and cocky and used people for my own selfish needs. It was people like me I had wanted to protect my sisters from. I didn't need to corrupt her like I had so many other people. I liked hanging out with her, I had enjoyed Charlie and even Luke's company and at that moment I had known that I valued her friendship and innocence.

A part of me still wanted to win the game, but after seeing her pure innocence I had decided that being her friend would prioritize over winning the game. I still planned on winning the game, I had a feeling it would be worth it but I had also planned on being her friend, a genuine one. Maybe one day we could be friends with benefits, it seemed to work with Katherine.

I smirk at Em, "Bra size?" Although I had decided to put the game on a brief hold while we formed a friendship, that wouldn't stop the pointless flirting, I knew that the meaningless flirting was who I was, and something that would continue to be.

She rolls her eyes laughing; "none of your business." She then continues, a small smile still gracing her lips; "What are the tracks?"

I debated telling her, but then figured I had owed her at least that, it's not like she knew that I raced there; "it's a place where some people go to street race so they can earn money."

She nods but looks like she wants to question me further, "Who is Luke to you?" I ask curiously. It was so blatantly obvious that he was in love with her but she never seemed to reciprocate the feelings.

Her face wrinkles in the familiar innocence that I had grown so fond of; "my best friend? I thought everyone knew that."

She really doesn't know? She can't tell? It was so obvious to everyone else.

"Do you and Luke both race at the tracks?" she asks her next question cautiously, I stiffen and look at her suspiciously before she continues; "I overheard Toby and Luke" she admits.

I nod at her in strain, she wasn't supposed to find out about that, if Luke hadn't told her then I probably shouldn't either. He may hate me now, but he used to be one of us and that still means something to me. "Have you ever liked Luke?" I ask curiously, wanting to get as much information as possible on the mystery of Emily's mind.

"No, he's my best friend" she replies.

"Good best friends don't want to date you" I reply casually, regretting the words as soon as I see her confused face. I didn't mean to dog Luke but I was screwed now so I may as well absorb as much information on the topic as possible.

"What?" she asks, her naiveness fully shining through.

"As if you didn't know that Luke was in love with you," I ask in genuine surprise. I knew she was naive but it's not like the kid even tried to hide his feelings for her.

She shakes her head, rejecting the idea; "Why do you and Luke hate each other?"

"I don't hate him, but why he hates me, that's his story to tell" I reply shrugging.

Em rolls her eyes but smiles anyway and nods.

"Are you a virgin?" I ask curiously.

"No, I won't even bother asking you" she replies smirking, shocking me that she was in fact not a virgin. I was impressed if I was being honest, she's so naive and innocent but obviously not childish, or a prude. I had hoped that maybe this news would eventually make it easier for me to win the game. I chuckle at her last part.

"How old were you when you lost your virginity?" she asks curiously.

"13" I shrug nonchalantly, I know I was young but I don't regret it.

She looks shocked at my response, understandably as well, I was just a child. "How old were you?"

"16" she responds quickly, "who'd you lose it to?"

"Her name was Katherine and she was a family friend, we had been close forever and one night one thing led to another, she left to move to Australia," I reply shrugging once again.

Katherine was the first and only girl that I had ever loved in a romantic way, if I was being perfectly honest, I think a part of me still felt something for her. She moved overseas to Australia after a toxic split between her parents when I was nearly 15 and I became the player I am today. Although we didn't see much of each other I still cared for her in more ways than one. We speak sometimes and she comes back here to visit her father a few times a year which means I get to see her. When she's here we hang out a lot and I would be lying if I said nothing ever happens. We never date or anything but there are still unresolved feelings between us if you know what I mean. I think a part of me will always feel something for Katherine, she was my first everything, and still someone I'm very close to.

Em nods in acknowledgment.

"If Luke asked you on a date, would you go?" I ask, returning with the Luke subject. It was funny to watch her face wrinkle, and I was really curious, I wanted to be able to read her.

"No, I don't see him like that, he's my best friend!!" she replies exasperatedly.

"Uh-huh," I smirk, teasing.

"He doesn't like me like that, he sees me the same way I see him!!" She groans burying her face in her hands.

"Collins, for a smart girl you can be very dumb" I smirk, I knew I shouldn't be dragging it on but I couldn't help myself.

"Black" she mimics making me smirk before she continuing; "If Luke ever tells me that he sees me more than what I see him, which won't happen, you'll be the first one I tell" she sighs in defeat.

I smirk it satisfaction, I'd be holding onto that. I check my phone, wanting to know the time, I was surprised that it was already 1:00.

"1:00 in the morning?" she repeats shocked, looking at me with wide eyes and innocence surrounding her.

"Go to sleep," I say softly, it was late and we had school tomorrow.

"You go to sleep" she replies childishly, I roll my eyes but nod and wait for her to climb down. I make a move to help her because she was obviously struggling a little but she refuses, making me chuckle lightly but follow her down.

Just after I get to my room and are about to hop in the shower, she looks at something in her room in a panic.

"Collins?" I ask curiously

After a minute of silence Emily turns around to look at me with puppy dog eyes, what does she want?

"Aiden, will you help me?" she all but chokes out, obviously not liking asking others for help.

I smirk back at her; "the damsel in distress needs my help?"

She sighs and attempts to glare at me, but once again she looks like a toy poodle trying to be a wolf; "Please Aiden can you come here?"

I smirk at her facial expression but begin to climb over to her room.

"What is it?" I ask as I climb through her room.

"Can you take the spider outside?" she asks pointing to her wall.

"The what?" I ask in panic, there weren't many things I was afraid of, well actually there was only one thing I was afraid of, and that just so happened to be spiders. I follow her arm until I spot the spider clinging to the wall. I gulp.

Em smirks at my expression; "I can't believe THE Aiden Black is afraid of spiders, wait until I tell all the girls at school that their favorite bad boy isn't as strong as he looks," she laughs evilly.

"I'm not afraid" is my instant reaction, who am I kidding, it was pretty darn obvious that I wasn't afraid...I was terrified.

She smirks at me once again; "Then please get rid of Norman for the 'damsel in distress,'" she replies in an overly dramatic tone batting her eyelashes innocently, once again using my words against me.

I stop for a minute and look over to the girl that I call my friend; "you called the spider Norman?"

She shrugs, ignoring my exasperated expression; "it seemed fitting." I look at her strangely for a minute longer then eventually turn to face the spider again.

"Yeah okay, well I'm going to be your knight in shining armor and kill the spider" I reply, once again failing to hide my panic.

"No you can't kill it, you have to take it outside" Em demands.

I give her an 'are you fucking serious' look, but eventually nod when I see how serious she was being. I grab a book from her bookshelf and slowly walk towards the spider.

As I get closer, the spider moves a little. Fuck I hate spiders, it keeps happening before I finally succeed.

Norman sits on the far side of the book while I rush to get the spider outside.

Fuck Fuck Fuck

Wait did I just call the spider Norman?

She's turning me strange.

"Fuck it's getting closer" I whisper yell to Em. Why couldn't she be scared of a child or something?!