I snuggle up beneath the blanket, nuzzling into the couch pillows. I've been here all morning, just watching the minutes tick by.

"I'm sorry, sis, there's nothing I can do," Quinn tells me, her voice sounding through the phone.

"Nothing at all?"

"I tried," she sighs. "I can't even get in contact with the captain. I don't have that kind of power yet."

"Please, Quinn," I beg.

"There's nothing I can do."

I sigh, sinking further into the couch. I'd hoped she could tell me something about Tyler. I thought there'd be some information in their system, but I guess I was wrong.

"That's okay," I tell her. "I'll just... wait."

That's all I've been doing. Sitting on the couch, listening to The Shins, hoping Tyler and Owen will walk through the door. Or at least send me a text message. But I haven't received anything. Not a single update.

They've been gone all night. Lena came home after I called her, but she had to leave this morning to meet with someone for a group presentation.

She helped distract me a lot last night. She told me over and over again how proud she was that I fought off a panic attack. I'm proud, too. Last time I was able to do that, I was on a high dose of medication and felt practically numb to all emotions. My current meds might not help as much, but at least I can still feel something. Maybe a bit too much, even.

I'm not even sure how I managed to do it. My anxiety was so high, I could feel the panic coming. But if I panicked, I wouldn't be able to help Tyler. And that's all I cared about. I had to do something. Seeing him in those handcuffs scared me to death. He's probably been in them a million times before, but it made me realise who I'm really dealing with.

A criminal. A criminal with a giant police record. He'd fit in perfectly in jail. A tattooed boy, tall enough to intimate anyone, and strong enough to break bones.

But he's not just any criminal. He's a criminal with a troubled past, who cares for me. Who's risked his freedom for me. Who's fought people for me. Who's helped me. A criminal who I can't help but be drawn to.

Am I rationalising? Probably. But I can't help but see him as more than just a criminal. To me, he's far from. He may have broken the law a few times, but calling him a criminal feels wrong.

"I'm going to make breakfast," I tell my sister. "I'll talk to you soon."

"Wait, Sarah," she stops me. "Please, just, be careful around him, okay? I don't like him."

"I will," I nod. How could I not?

"Stay safe, and I love you."

"Love you too, bye bye!"

I hang up the phone, letting it drop down on my chest. I could really use a strawberry milkshake right now.

I slide off the couch. I feel like a big blob of nothingness. I've barely slept at all and I can't stop thinking about Tyler. The way he looked when they took him away... I just... I hate it.

I drag my feet into the kitchen, grabbing a cup to make myself a milkshake. I pull the fridge door open, reaching for the carton of milk. I wish they sold tasty strawberry milkshakes at the grocery store, but they're all so gross. I should start my own business, just to make strawberry milkshakes more easily accessible.

I place all the ingredients onto the counter, and grab the blender. Lena was smart enough to buy it when we first moved in here, knowing I drink at least one milkshake a day. Besides, having my own blender is far better than having to use Tyler and Owens protein blender. I don't know how they drink that stuff. It's disgusting.

Just as I begin pouring the ingredients in, I hear the sound of laughter. I drop everything, focusing my attention on the door. Sure enough, it begins to open. The two boys step inside, with no police in sight.

"Oh my god!" I exclaim.

"Sarah!" Owen grins.

"Are you okay? What happened?"

I glance between the two of them. Tyler leans his hip against the counter, smirking down at me.

"I got out," he says.

"How?"

"Had to pay a fuck ton of cash."

"You're lucky they even let you out on bail, bro," Owen says. "If your PO hadn't shown up, you'd be fucked."

"There's no way they'd let me out," he chuckles.

"Is that what happened?" I ask. "Your parole officer showed up and let you out on bail?"

"Pretty much. Cost me eight grand."

I gasp. "Eight grand?"

"It's fucking bullshit."

"How can you even afford that?"

"Easy," he shrugs. "I got money."

Clearly. But how did he get it? It doesn't make any sense. I want to ask him about it more, but I don't want to argue with him. And if I ask, that's exactly what will happen.

"I'm taking a nap," Owen says. "I'm fucking wrecked."

He walks out of the room, leaving me alone with Tyler. Usually, I'd be worried But right now, I don't care. I have way too many questions. I almost expect him to leave, too, but he doesn't. He just watches me put the ingredients into the blender.

"Are you alright?" I ask him. "Did you sleep?"

"Fuck no," he scoffs. "I was in a fucking jail cell."

"Was it... bad?"

"Well, it's no fuckin resort."

"Yeah, I'm sorry," I look down. "I don't really know why I asked that."

"It's fine," he snickers. "it's not like you've ever been there."

You'd think that would be a good thing, but his tone makes it condescending. I decide to change the subject, trying my best to avoid an argument.

"Why did they arrest you?" I ask him.

"Assault," he shrugs. "Nothing big."

"Of who? Did you get into another fight?"

"Nah, this was about Christian."

"What?!"

"The asshole snitched."

"What? When?"

"Last night. Fucking pussy."

"Oh my god..." I suddenly realise. "Is this about..."

The car.

"Probably. Guess he couldn't fucking take it."

My heart sinks. It's my fault. I stratch my thigh.

"Tyler..." I hesitate. "I'm so sorry. I never should've dragged you into this."

"Don't be," he snickers. "I'm glad you did. I fucking hate that son of a bitch."

"But what's going to happen now? You're going to prison? You're going to get charged?" I ramble, feeling my fingers begin to shake. "And I.. I-, I feel so guilty!"

"You had fun, didn't you?"

"But it was stupid! We never should've done it!"

"It was worth it."

"Not if it means you're going to prison!"

"I'm not going to prison!"

"How do you know?!"

"I'll get Christian to drop the charges."

"How do you know he'll listen?"

"Because I'll make him!"

"How?!"

"How do you think?!"

He's going to beat him up. It's what he does best.

His eyes scan mine, waiting for me to respond. He's only a few feet away from me, but I wish he was closer.

"Just...," I hesitate. "Please don't do anything stupid."

He scoffs. "I won't."

"I mean it. You can't go to prison."

"I know," he gives me a soft smile. "I can't go anywhere without doing this again."

Tyler presses his lips on mine, keeping me from responding. I shut my eyes instantly, responding to the kiss. He places a hand on my waist, and the other on my cheek. I stay still, unsure of what to do.

He realises this, and pulls away. He looks at me, hurt evident in his eyes. Before I even know whatI'm doing, I stand on my toes, grab hold on his face, and kiss him. My whole body begins shivering, the butterflies in my stomach jumping to life. He pulls me closer to him, letting out bodies connect.

His tongue trails over my lips, begging for entrance. I let him deepen the kiss. Our tongues met, both of us battling for control. I want more, and I can tell he does, too. I lift my hand up, trailing my fingers through the curls on his head.

My legs begin to waver, unable to hold me up any longer. I roll back onto my heels, causing the kiss to break. I catch my breath, staying close to him. I rest my head against his chest, but then I realise... he smells bad. I jump away from.

"You're gross!" I laugh. "You stink!"

"I spend the night in jail, and that's what you say to me?!"

"Well, it's true! You smell like sweat, dirt, and cigarettes."

"And you smell like strawberries," he smirks.

"Shush!" I drop my face down, my shyness increasing.

"Don't hide from me, Princess."

"I'm not hiding."

He puts his finger below my chin and lifts my face up. I can feel him analysing my face, but I avoid his eyes. I glance around the room.

"You look so cute when you're blushing," he says.

"Stop," I whine, feeling my redness increase.

"Look at me."

I purse my lips, blinking a few times before my eyes finally meet his. For once, they're full of emotion. Full of happiness.

"Come shower with me," he says. My jaw drops to the floor.

"No!" I scold.

"You don't want to?!"

"No!"

"Yes, you do."

I really, really, do.

"No, I don't!" I defend.

"Admit it," he smirks. "You want to see me naked."

"I do not!"

"Relax, baby," he chuckles. "I'm just teasing you."

He removes his hands from my skin, taking a step away from me. He turns around, heading for his bedroom.

"You suck!" I call out to him.