Seems no matter how much you try to avoid it, your past is always a half step behind you...

[_rockprincess]

"I drift away to a place
Another kind of life
Take away the pain
I create my paradise.Okay, so maybe it isn't the warmest day in the history of the universe, but it isn't raining, and the little bit of money I bring home today will mean the world to Mike... I'll just finish up this song, then we'll head home. Poor Savannah's probably freezing to

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[just_savannah]

Casey was talented, more than talented really. It felt like her words had gone right through me - like I had been there, feeling what she had felt. She laughed slightly at the rain and it seemed to all wash away. I should have technically been freezing, and I was now, but I hadn't realized until it started to rain - until the spell of music had gone away.

"Really good timing," I nodded with a smile. "You brought the rain to listen to all that pretty music."

I had been anticipating this afternoon. I spent my whole PE class rushing around the track waiting for what would come after school. I smiled taking her hand. "You need any help?" I asked. I wanted to say more about her song, but it didn't feel like the right time right now.

[_rockprincess]

"Or it waited until I was done to start falling." I smiled back, sliding the money into my pocket with my free hand just as she took hold of the other one, "Which you know, really rather considerate of it, if you ask me." I added, picking up my guitar before we headed towards my apartment building.

She's smiling, so I assume that means she likes what she heard. Or maybe she didn't and she's just being polite? There's my amazingly lack reading people skills at work again. I know very well what's going on in my head, everyone else, not so much.

"Nah, I'm kinda used to lugging this thing around with me everywhere, but thanks." I replied, giving her hand a squeeze. "It was nice that you were here today, you know?"

[just_savannah]

"Very nice of the rain," I agreed, picking up my backpack. I still wanted to help her at least with some of her books, her bag looked heavy and she had to lug around a guital.

I smiled wider to her, as we started towards her house, "I really liked hearing your music, Case. Like really really. I'm glad you invited me along."

I couldn't help thinking of what her father had done to her and her brother to cause so much pain in such a beautiful voice.

[_rockprincess]

"Thanks Savannah..." I smiled, blushing slightly. Which really didn't make sense, since I'd asked her to come listen to me play. I mean, I'd wanted her here.

"Anyway, I'm glad you liked it. Music's kinda subjective, you know? What one person loves, someone else could absolutely hate." I pointed out to her. "I must sound crazy...wanting a pile of grammys which means a recording contract which means people would hear my music, but being worried about what you would think about it..." I commented, shaking my head a little.

[just_savannah]

"Yeah, but you make good first impressions, sweetie." I replied, kissing her cheek quickly.

I gave a quick glance around her room. So it wasn't a pretty room and it definitely didn't match in nice blue tones, but it was home to her - and it did have pretty curtains. I smiled at the stuffed bear on the bed. "He have a name?" I asked, motioning towards it.

[_rockprincess]

"Do I?" I asked, raising my eyebrow playfully, unable to keep a grin off my face between the kiss and the fact that she'd called me 'sweetie'.

"Mr. Bear." I told her. "Not the most creative name in the world, but I was three when I got him." I smiled. He'd been my birthday present from Mike that year. I still figure he must have saved whatever money he'd gotten for his birthday to get me something nice, not that he'll ever tell me if he did.

[just_savannah]

"You do!" I replied with a grin to Casey.

"Well, Mr. Bear is awfully cute." I commented, gently picking the stuffed animal up. "I think I may be Bi-stuffed animal curious," I teased softly.

[_rockprincess]

"Bi-stuffed animal curious?" I laughed. "Should I be jealous of Mr. Bear, Savannah?" I questioned, amused.

Logically I knew she was playing, but it wouldn't be any fun if I refused to play along with her little game, would it?

[just_savannah]

"Yeah." I nodded softly, kissing her forehead. "It's about your father." I felt so lucky in so many ways. I had a mom and dad, though annoying, completely loved me and would never hurt me in any way like that. I couldn't see how anyone could do that to Casey or Mike.

[_rockprincess]

"Exactly." I said softly closing my eyes for a moment at the kiss. "That song, singing it, is like the most positive thing I can think to with all the pain and hurt. Pretty much the only way I can think of to make sure it doesn't totally consume me, if that makes any sense

[just_savannah]

"You won't." I breathed at the sad sight of shimmering tears within her eyes. "I won't let him ever take you or Mike back." I promised these words with full intent of keeping that promise. I couldn't lose Casey and she couldn't lose Mike, so we wouldn't lose at all.

I had to shiver at the image in my mind of their father and what Mike would do to protect her.

I held her closer, protectively. "I'm not going to let you ever get hurt by him."

[_rockprincess]

I sniffled slightly at her words and actions. She seemed so completely sure, so determined. Part of me couldn't help but wonder why it was so important to her. It wasn't her fight, and yet somehow I wouldn't be entirely surprised if she started pounding on my Dad herself if given the chance.

I took a few breaths and relaxed slightly in her arms, snuggling closer to her, feeling calmer and safer with her arms around me. "He can't hurt me anymore. He doesn't have a clue where we are." I whispered, my voice still a little shaky. I smiled softly to her. "You're so amazing. Most people would probably just want to stay out of it, you know? Not make any huge promises."

I wondered if she knew how much the fact that she wanted to do whatever she could to make sure I was safe. "Maybe it's that whole feeling like we've known each other forever thing?" I asked quietly. There was a bigger question I wanted to ask, but I didn't want to freak her out on top of everything else I'd just dumped on her.