After what happened to Charlie, I realized that there will always be people in the world who prey on the people they presume to be weaker than them.

Charlie, although timid, was a strong kid. The actions of those entitled people speak volumes. I just wished he would realize how important his life is; how resilient he is even after all of this...

I was lost in thought at the shopping mall.

I got a day off from work so I decided to spend some time in less familiar places.

It had been 2 months since Henry died. I was thinking I should visit his grave...

I sighed while sipping on my chilled chai latte. I turned right almost into a complete stranger. I apologized before walking over to the nearest exit. I had been wandering around for quite some time. I only bought a few more paint supplies...

I decided to take a look at the storefronts on the opposite side of the mall...

When I was outside I spotted a music store. I smiled and entered the store. I looked around for a while until I spotted a basin of guitar picks.

"Do you play?" I'm presuming this guy was in his mid-fifties. I didn't wasn't to assume he was the shopkeeper but he gave off that vibe.

"Not at all," I chuckled and then said, "I'll take this one. It's for a friend," he nodded and carefully wrapped the one I picked out. I wanted to gift this to Charlie. It looked like I had figured out what I could do for that kid. I must have seemed proud of myself for thinking about giving him a pick. I wasn't sure if he used his fingers... but the thought counted?

I exited the shop and walked down the street. I just remembered there was an art gallery nearby. I hadn't visited it since I went to their grand opening a few months ago. They were having an exhibit next week but I wanted to take a peek at the collection they had in right now.

I crossed the street and while walking along the sidewalk I passed a few stores.

A pet groomers, a dry-cleaner, a bridal shop... I couldn't help but blush at the sight of the dress because it reminded me of the charity ball. In a similar gown I danced with Kai and also encountered an odd man whose lips I touched... I shrugged my shoulders...

No way.

No way.

Not now... just forget about it...

I passed a cafe... and then for some reason, after briefly looking to my left, I thought I saw Jackson... I shook my head. That would be impossible...

I started walking forward again and then stopped. Curiosity got the better of me. I walked backwards and peered into the window...

It was Jackson. He seemed to be flirting with a young woman?

I must have gravitated towards the door without realizing it. Because before I knew it a young woman pushed me to the side. She threw open the door aggressively. I was about to curse at her for what she did but when I saw the crazed look in her eyes I pushed my lips together. While the door was halfway from closing, I heard her shout loudly at Jackson, "you prick!"

My body moved on its own and I opened the door to witness this scene unfold. There weren't any 'customers' around. From what I could tell it was a small business... I didn't get a chance to look at the sign outside. But it appeared to be for cosmetic-based consultations.

"Hey, Mel! What's--" I saw Jackson get slapped so hard across the face I almost felt his pain. I couldn't help but cringe... the young woman he was 'flirting with' seemed to be taken aback.

"Who's this? You're such a-!!" she raised her hands and starting punching him in the chest. At that point, Jackson raised his hands defensively and held onto her fists.

"We were never exclusive, Mel. And my business is none of your concern."

"Not my concern? Not a-- you-- after all this time, you've been using me? For this thing?!" she lunged forward at the other woman and Jackson tried to intervene. It looked like the three of them were playing a warped game of Twister. I stood there, slightly amused but shocked...

At that point I thought it was best to leave... so I pivoted out to leave. Inaudible cursing and screaming were happening behind me. I wanted nothing more to do with it.

"Will you stop it!!" I heard Jackson shout. "Oh! Hazel Rose!" I cringed when he called my name. I felt the hairs on my skin rise. I tried walking robotically out of the store but he raced towards me and hugged me tightly. "Help me out, please?" I was shocked by the sudden contact. I dug my nails into his arms and dug them deeper. He squealed slightly.

"Let go," I whispered back while trying to push him back but he held onto for dear life. "I value my life. She looks like she'll kill me in my sleep," Jackson laughed.

"Don't worry we have a state of the art security system."

"You're such a--"

"Please... I may be killed."

"You deserve it."

"Please..." he seemed to be acting like the Jackson I had gotten to know. Irresponsible. Hedonist. Philanderer, I could add.

"Fine, but hurry up," he turned around while draping his arm around my shoulder. The woman named 'Mel' stepped forward while Jackson signaled to the other woman to scurry away...

"Who the hell is--"

"My new bodyguard,.

"Huh?!" I and that woman Mel were synced up.

Jackson chuckled and then added, "so, if you won't back off I'm afraid she'll be intervening."

I rolled my eyes and Mel scoffed before laughing.

"Ridiculous... Hazel, right? You should move out of the way before you both regret it," I shrugged his arm from my shoulder and crossed my arms, stepping forward.

"Did you know... what you're doing can be considered verbal harassment? We can also add on physical assault and stalking too," Mel scoffed again.

"Do you know who you're talking to?" Jackson then leaned forward and whispered to me.

"Her whole family comes from a line of lawyers," I glared at Jackson but he stepped aside.

"I don't care. What I do know is that this place definitely has a CCTV so at the risk of you and your family's reputation I would let it go for today," that seemed to enrage her. She stepped forward and glared at me.

She then walked past us and left the store. I exhaled deeply.

It felt like I lost a few years of my life. Jackson patted my back. I slapped his hand away.

"What's wrong with you?!" I pointed at him accusingly. "Do you make a habit of... you know what," I sighed, "I'm tired. Deal with the mess you created..."

When I exited the store he followed after me. After walking for a few more minutes with Jackson tailing close behind me I stopped. "Don't you have anything else better to do?"

"Not right now."

"Can't you read the atmosphere?"

"What?" he stared at me genuinely confused.

"Please leave me alone," at that comment he smiled.

"That's the first time a woman has ever told me to leave first," I smiled and chuckled at him. I then looked him dead in the eyes and said: "and it won't be the last time."

I turned around to walk away from me but he continued to walk beside me.

"Come on, let's talk! Since we ran into each other," I rolled my eyes and he kept pestering me.

"What do you want?" I glared at him and at that moment someone came out of the shop in front of us.

"Twin!" Jackson shouted and James looked at the both of us confused.

"This was purely coincidental," I said, sighing. Was I becoming a magnet for the Ravenwolf boys?

"Is he bothering you?"

"Yes," James looked at Jackson as I spoke.

Jackson smiled and defensively said: "she helped me out of a situation."

"Another issue with some of the women you're seeing?"

"Wow dude you're such a psychic," Jackson leaned his arm against my shoulder. I could sense the tension between the two of them. Although it sounded playful there was something about Jackson's position that made me think there must be a reason why he acts the way he does...

James stepped forward and removed Jackson's arm from my shoulder and then said, "well, some things never change..." I looked at Jackson's reaction... and for a moment I could see the hurt in his eyes...

"I'll drive you home..." James gestured for me to go forward. His car was parked in front of us. I nodded while watching Jackson smile to himself.

"How cruel... you could have offered to drive me back," Jackson pouted.

"I didn't know you were in town and besides... if you wanted to go home you know how to get there..." I watched the words cut into Jackson's heart. I couldn't help but wonder about who exactly that guy was...

When I got into James' car I looked into his rear-view mirror. When I thought I would get a glimpse of Jackson I saw a random, shadowy figure lurking in the distance. For a moment I didn't know who was watching me from a distance....