Scarlette woke up early on the day of the gala to inspect the venue. She was all over the place, making sure the catering would be there on time, as well as decorations and entertainment along with her speech. She sighed. She was only fourteen. She shouldn't be doing these things. She should be at a friend's house talking about boys, or maybe worrying about school. Which she didn't go to.

She was homeschooled and was currently studying online college for veterinary. Her parents were upset, of course. Wanting her to go to business school. But she was firm on that decision. She loved animals. All she ever wanted to do was keep them and care for them. But of course, she couldn't. But her train of thought was interrupted when Marshall went over to her and handed her her dress.

"Here's your dress. Now dress up and powder your nose or whatever you girls do when they get ready." He said, straightening his tie. The way Marshall looked right now made her want to drool. His red and black hair was slicked back smoothly and he was wearing an all black tuxedo with a white shirt and red tie to match her dress. He looked amazing and dare she say... Sexy? The only person she thought was sexy was Jack Barakat from All Time Low. And Andy Beirsack from Black Veil Brides... And Ronnie Radke from Falling in Reverse... And Jacky Vincent. She stopped her brain from getting too far down the band hole.

"Uh. Yeah. Could you watch the food display? I think the imbeciles might accidentally break the ice sculpture." She said, her lips twitching upward. Marshall mirrored her action as Scarlette slowly walked away, tripping over the flat ground and nearly falling to her bum.

She stood up quickly and scurried into the bathroom. As she put on the dress, she put liquid foundation on all of her scars. They covered up well. It made her smile. She stroked the soft, loose curls she had and tried to practice her smile, but it was obviously forced. She frowned. Smiling has always been a chore for her. She hated doing it whenever her parents had business partners over, forcing her to smile. She stopped for a bit and imagined Marshall. And him hugging her in Hot Topic. She ended up with a dreamy and dazed smile on her face. She blushed. Marshall... She decided that at this gala, she was going to flirt with him, but she was going to be professional at the same time.

She was about to walk out until she realized that she still had her Converse on. She put on her strappy black heels and wobbled a bit, walking out. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath and then, she walked out confidently towards Marshall.

"Marshall." She squeaked out. "How do I look?" Marshall turned to face her and his face flushed pink.

"Scarlette. Wow... You look so... Breath-taking." He breathed out. She blushed.

"Thanks Marshall. It means a lot. Uhm we have to go up on stage now. People are starting to come in." She said, taking him gently by the hand. When they got up on stage she stood close to him, the only sense of security she had. Scarlette thought about what she as doing. She was going soft. But... She liked it. She liked having people care for her. Well... At least one person.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen!" She said into the microphone. "As you all know we are here because we have just made the Reeves-Foresterr partnership a success!" The crowd clapped their hands... Marshall couldn't listen anymore. He was so captivated by her beauty. Scarlette's beauty. She made him breathless. Before, it was her spunky personality and her quiet demeanor that piqued his interest. But when he saw her cry... It made him realize that she was fragile. Or possibly yet, god forbid, shattered. Broken. He swept his eyes over her features. Her gentle curls, her simple, yet somewhat bold make up, her coke bottle curves, her lips. Oh, how those lips teased him. Dared him to kiss them. To put his lips against hers... And her dress. That dress. She was so beautiful in that dress. She captivated him with such beauty that only existed only in magazines and movies. She was beautiful. But, at Hot Topic, he saw a long scar. It was far too deep for it to be an accident, and he started to fill with rage. Her parents probably did that to her. Her parents, oh how he wanted to kill them. Oh yes he'd gouge out thir eyes, then pull their limbs out of their sock-

"Now please! Enjoy the food, the music and the dancefloor is all for you! Thank you." The crowd cheered as Scarlette lifted a glass of champagne thay seemed to appear out of no where to toast. Marshall smiled at her proffesionalism as they waked down the stage together, arms hooked together.

"Oh! Scarlette, how you've grown!" A woman squealed.

"Oh, hi Auntie Joan!" Scarlette said, hugging the older lady.

"Scarlette, who's this... Stud." She asked, obviously not liking the look of Marshall. "How'd you find him?"

Scarlette laughed uncomfortably. "Uh. Auntie. This is my Mother told me he had to be my chaperone to the gala." She said, faking weariness. It was obvious that it was fake. Well at least, to Marshall. Her aunt didn't seem to get it.

"Oh. Dear, I have the most nephew, he's around your age. Would you want me to introduce you?" She offered. Scarlette shook her head.

"Oh, Auntie, no thank you, I'm happy being single. By the sides... I'm fourteen remember?" She said, quietly, yet painfully clutching Marshall's arm.

"Well, that's good darling. I'll be off!" The older woman said, ditzily walking away.

As soon as she left, Scarlette pinched the bridge of her nose. "Oh my god... I hate Mrs. Foresterr." She started to rub her temples. "She just gave me a headache. So talkative. So boring. Ugh."

I could kiss your headache away. "Hey, c'mon Scarlette, how about some Jack? There's some here on the wine table."

"Yes. Jack. I need some. Right now. Get me a glass." She said, leaning on him, still irritated.

"Are you sure not just a shot?" Marshall asked, not exactly sure if she can take something as strong as Jack Daniels.

"Marshall I am sure just get me the goddamn whiskey before another annoying business partner comes. Please. I can handle it okay? It's just whiskey." She said, wrapping his arm around her. "I just need a drink."

Marshall nodded as he reached out for the bottle and poured her a glass. She downed it down so fast, you'd think it was water. She took the bottle and took a long swig, then poured another glass amd guzzled it up.

"Thanks. I needed that." She said, wiping the corners of her mouth.

"I can tell." He joked. "You REALLY don't like these people do you?"

"Ugh. Hate them. But," She sighed. "I am forced to interact with these... Intellectual Neanderthals."

Marshall started to laugh quietly. "Oh my god. S-s-scarlette" He clutched his stomach. "You're so... F-f-funny."

She started to giggle, until she accidentally snorted. She stopped abruptly and turned a bright red. "Oh my god. That didn't happen." Marshall smiled a little and pushed a small lock of her hair behind her ear.

"It was adorable. Don't be embarrassed. You were so cute when you made that sound." He said, staring into her eyes, suddenly breaking contact when he realized that they were in public. "Now come on, we have to look pretty and proffessional." He laughed, grabbing her hand gently to pull her over close to the stage. "Well, you just have to look prettier than you already are." He winked at her playfully.

Scarlette nodded slowly, wanting to stare into his eyes again. The fascinating shade of green just... Drew her to him like a moth to a flame. She wanted to grab his face and just... Stare into his eyes. His fascinating, pretty eyes. Though, a kiss would be nice too. She blushed at the thought of kissing the sexy man she called a bodyguard. But... He'd never want her. She had nothing to offer but a broken girl. But when that broken girl loved someone, she'd love them with all her heart.

Marshall was thinking almost the exact same thing. Her eyes shone like the moon when he stared into them. Her hazel eyes hypnotized him and wanted him to pull her closer and closer and just connect their lips together. She fascinated him as well. She was a puzzle. Just when you think you've figured out a part of her, she just becomes more complex. He loved that. He loved the fact that she could keep him guessing. He accepted the fact that he was head over heels in love with her. But she wouldn't want him. He was out of her league. She was beautiful, and a genius. And if she was in a good mood she was the funniest girl ever and she can hold a drink. All at the age of fourteen!... Fourteen... Marshall found himsef sighing. She was only fourteen goddamn it. She was so perfect. So within reach. But then reality had to drop a bomb and remind her that she was fourteen. Goddamn it he was basically a pedophile! But... He loved her. Truely and sincerely loved her.

The entire gala consisted of them looking good for cameras and greeting Scarlette's parents' business partners until the couples dance came on. Marshall smiled. Maybe he could get her to dance. He bowed down suddenly in front of her and held out his hand.

"May I have this dance milady?" He said, in a horrible british accent, hoping to make her smile.

She giggled as she curtsied and took his hand. "You may."

He smiled as he led her to the dancefoor and a slow song came on. Everything was going smoothly until Scarlette tripped into Marshall's arms.

"Well someone's eager." He said, smirking a little.

She giggled and hit him playfully. "Oh shush and dance with me."

Scarlette unsurely wrapped her arms around Marshall's shoulders and he wrapped his arms around her tiny waist. He rested his chin on the top of her head as she layed her head against his chest. They swayed together slowly to the beat as Scarlette snuggled up closer into Marshall's chest to the point she could hear his heart beating. It was slow and steady until she looked up at him with wide eyes.

"Marshall. I'm glad I let you be my date. I really liked this gala. Which is saying a lot, because I normally HATE these galas." She whispered softly, laughing a bit.

Marshall smiled and hugged her a bit tighter. "I'm glad you don't hate me anymore. It feels nice that you're my friend."

She blushed and buried her face into his chest once again only to look up and give him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thank you Marshall." She suddenly pulled away and scurried upwards towards the stage.

"Thank you. Everyone. I appreciate you all coming here to the gala my parents have sponsored. Thank you once again, this gala is done. Thank you all once again." She announed, looking like a woman in a Miss Universe pageant. Marshall was absolutely stunned by the way she handled herself.

He waited patiently by the door as she greeted guests goodbye. She walked up to him and smirked.

"C'mon Marshall. I'm sick of these people. So... Not my scene." She said, pulling him by the hand.

They climbed into the limo and Scarlette leaned up against him. "It was nice having you as my date. I actually had fun. Unlike most galas, where I'm forced to go with an "eligable" boy." She snorted. "More like horny pricks." Marshall laughed at that. "So... Thank you."

Marshall put his arm around her, patting her shoulder softly. "Well, I'm your bodyguard. So it was good that I was your date. I could keep you safe without being scary." Scarlette's eyelids started to lower as she smiled.

"You're not... Scary... You're very... Nice." She mumbled before falling asleep. Marshall smiled and put her legs into his lap. His hand brushed against the lower part of her thigh and he felt something out of the ordinary, it felt... Like a scar. He gently rubbed away at her thigh until he saw a fragment of a scar. He rubbed lower, just above her knee to see where the scar stopped. He wanted to see where the scar started, but he feared that it was... Too far up her thigh. He held her tighter, yet not enough to wake her up. What could have caused this? A bad accident? Her parents? He was going to keep her safe... No matter what.

When they got to the mansion, Marshall carried her to her room. He gently placed her on her bed and tucked her in.

"Don't worry Scarlette." He whispered, smoothing her hair. "I won't let them hurt you again."