The next day I went to school. I didn't have another altercation with Allan when I got home yesterday as he had already left for work.

When I got to school, my friends bombarded me with questions of concern. I had to convince them that I was okay. Thankfully, the pain in my stomach that I had yesterday was gone.

The day went by quickly and Lucas, Kevin, Jasmine and I left school together. Jasmine had asked us to come to her house after school to watch movies. I didn't decline, because I did not want to miss another time of hanging out with my friends.

After watching two movies and enjoying my friends company, it was time for us to leave. Lucas, Kevin and I bid Jasmine goodbye and left. We walked for a while, before we split directions.

I was almost home when my phone started ringing. I took it from my pocket and saw that it was Miranda. I answered it. "Hello Miranda." I greeted her.

"Hello Kayla. I was wondering if it is possible for you to come to the cafe for an hour?" She asked. "I'm sorry to implore on you like this, but we really need the help."

"Of course I can, Miranda." I replied. "I don't mind at all. I'll be there in fifteen minutes." I looked at the time and saw that it was almost 5:30pm.

"Thank you so much." She said, then hang up.

As soon as I reached the cafe, I head straight for the door at the back. The place was crowded and buzzing with customers. I passed Miranda serving a customer and I waved at her. After I changed into my uniform, I came back to the front to help serve the customers that were in the cafe. The cafe was packed and it was only Miranda, Samantha and Kerry. Miranda informed me that Riley was out with the flu.

It was almost 7:00pm, when I heard the jingle of the bell, signalling another customer. I looked towards the door and recognized the two people that walked in. They were two of Carson's friends; Jordan and Michael. They went over to a seat near the window and sat down. I saw that everyone else was busy dealing with other customers, so I went over to them, my notepad in hand.

"Hello, welcome to Miranda's Tasty Treats. What can I get you?" I asked, when I reached them.

Both boys looked up at me as soon as I spoke. "Oh, hey. You're the girl from school. The one who hit Carson in the face with a dodgeball. I didn't know you work here." Michael said when he recognized me.

"I just started here recently and are you guys really still on that?" I asked.

"Nope. But I don't know your name, so I use that." Michael replied, shrugging his shoulders.

"My name is Kayla. Now what may I get you boys?" I asked, getting back to my task.

"Can I get a vanilla milkshake and three diet cokes?" Jordan asked.

I wrote their orders on the notepad in my hands and smiled. "Your order is coming right up." I walked away from the table to get their order.

Within seconds, I came back to the table carrying a tray with their drinks. I took the beverages off the tray and placed it on the table. "Here you go. Is that all?" I asked.

"Yes. We actually gonna take these with us." Jordan answered.

"What are you guys doing getting drinks so late at night, anyway?" I asked suspiciously.

"We were actually a couple of blocks down the road, when this idiot said he wanted a milkshake." Michael answered, hitting Jordan on the back of his head.

"Hey! You just can't resist milkshake." Jordan exclaimed, shoving Michael.

"And what are you guys doing on the street this late?" I asked, then shook my head. "You know what? I don't want to know."

"Do you want to know?" Jordan asked, wriggling his eyebrows in mischief.

"As I said before, no. Forget I asked." I said, then take up the tray from the table where I had rest it. "Now, if you boys excuse me, I have to get home."

"How about you come with us?" Jordan suggested, before I could turn away.

"Are you crazy, Jordan? I have to get home." I said, shaking my head.

Jordan looked at me in surprise. "Wait, how did you know it was me? People can never tell us apart." He stated in a shocked voice.

He was right. He and his brother were very identical and people would have a hard time figuring out who was who. They would sometimes trick people and had fun doing it. For some reason, though, I could always tell them apart. I guess I was observant and keen on details. "I'm just observant." Was my only response. "Anyway, I can't go." I added.

"Come on. We will give you a ride home after." Michael put in. "It's dark out and we are in a very bad neighbourhood."

Should I trust these boys? I mean I didn't really know them. All I know is that they are bad boys and that trouble follow them everywhere they go. Suppose they were out doing something illegal and they pull me into it?

However, I would really appreciate the ride instead of risk walking home in the dark again. I hesitated for a few more seconds before I gave in. "Fine," I said. "I hope you won't bring me to anywhere illegal."

Both boys grinned at each other, before smirking at me. "Now, why would we do that?" Jordan asked innocently.

I looked at both of them suspiciously. By the look in their eyes, I knew they were hiding something from me, but I went anyway. I went back around to the back of the cafe to change my clothes and clock out. I passed by Miranda's office when I was leaving to say goodbye.

"Bye Kayla. Thanks again for coming in such short notice." She called back after me.

"You're welcome." I said. I then walked back out to the front where the boys were waiting on me. We left the cafe and set off down the road on foot.

We were only walking for a minute, when Jordan and Michael turned into a dark alleyway. I stopped in my tracks. "Where are you guys going? I'm not going down there."

"Come on, it's okay. You're with us." Michael said in reassurance.

"You make that sound like a good thing." I said, but went anyway. We walked for a while in the dark alleyway, until we came upon an old abandoned building at the end. Michael pulled open the metal door and it creaked. He stood aside for us to enter, then closed the door behind him.

The inside of the building looked much better. Michael and Jordan led me down a hallway and to another door. They opened the door to reveal a small gym area.

There were weights of different sizes and shapes scattered across the floor. A punching bag was in the middle of the room. A person was currently punching the bag. I focused my eyes on the person and realized that it's Carson. Jayden sat on a bench with his foot propped up. Michael and Jordan began descending the steps that were in front of us. I followed behind reluctantly.

"What took you guys so long?" Carson asked without turning around. He was busy throwing punch after punch at the bag. He wasn't wearing a shirt and sweat glistened off his back. I couldn't take my eyes from his well toned body. His muscles flexed as he punched.

"We ran into someone." Michael answered, when he was near him. Jayden looked around at us. He sat upright in his seat when he saw me. He lifted one of his eyebrow to Michael and his brother in question.

Carson stopped punching the bag and turned around. "Of course you wou-" he began and then his eyes flicked to me standing behind Michael and Jordan. "What is she doing here?" He asked.

"Chill bro. We ran into her when we went to get the drinks and offered to give her a ride home." Michael explained.

Carson's eyes flicked to mine again, before he looked at Michael and Jordan. "You guys shouldn't have brought her here. You know that you shouldn't bring anyone here."

"I know, but I didn't see any harm in bringing her here." Michael said.

"Yeah. She is okay." Jordan put in. I was still standing quietly behind the boys. All that was on my mind was; why were the boys at a gym in the middle of the night? It was very puzzling. Carson looked in my direction again and I waved awkwardly.

"Whatever." Carson said, turning back around and continued punching the bag.

"What's up with him?" Jordan asked and Michael shrugged. They both turned around and head to the seat where Jayden sat down and I followed. We sat there for another ten minutes, before Carson was done.

Carson still hasn't acknowledged my presence, so I walked over to him. He was on the other side of the gym, putting on his shirt. It was a shame, because I was really enjoying looking at his six packs.

I shook my head from my thoughts and spoke up. "I know you don't want me here." I started.

"Why would you say that?" He asked, digging around in his bag.

"Because you are not looking at me. Look, I didn't want to come here, but Jordan asked and I really wanted the ride." I said.

"I don't care if you are here or not." He said simply. His voice was cold and distant. Finally, he looked up at me. I thought he was going to walk away, but then he said. "I see that you are okay now." I knew he was referring to yesterday when I was crying.

I sighed. "I'm really sorry about the way I talked to you yesterday. It's just that I really wanted to be alone." I said.

"It's cool." He said, sitting down on the bench. "I get it."

I sat down beside him. "Why are you here?" I asked.

"I come here every night to work out. My friends would accompany me sometimes." He said.

"Why do you need to work out every night?" I asked bewildered.

He hesitated for a moment, then answered. "To prepare me for my fights."

"Fights?" I repeated stupidly.

"Yeah. I do underground fighting." He explained.

"Isn't that illegal?" I asked. Well, of course it is, Kayla. My conscience reasoned. Remember, this is Carson Knight here. Delinquent is his middle name.

"Yes, but I need to do it." He stated.

I knew I was being nosey, but I couldn't help myself. "Why?" I asked.

Carson looked around at me and laughed. It was the first time he had laughed since my appearance and for some reason, I was happy about that. "You sure ask a lot of questions." He said.

I shrugged. "I guess I'm a little curious."

"Well, they say that curiosity killed the cat." Carson said smirking. At least he was talking to me again.

"Well, good thing I'm not a cat then." I replied.

"Are you sure, Kitten?" He asked. A mischievous glint in his eyes.

"We're back to that again?" I asked, hitting him on the shoulder.

"Always." He said, that annoying smirk still on his face. I shook my head at him and stand up to leave. I really needed to get home now.

We left the building and walked out to the front where the boys parked their cars. I got into Michael's car and he drove me home as promised. When I got home, I noticed that all the lights were out. Hopefully, Allan would already be in bed.

I got out of the car and waved at Michael. He still didn't drive away, so I walked up to my front door. As I opened it and walked in, I heard him honk his horn and then drive away. I closed the door behind me and head upstairs to take a shower and go to bed.

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A/N: Thank you for reading this far!

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Remember, you are all perfectly imperfect! 💖

Stay beautiful, my lovelies!

Alecia