Anna and her father had gone to dinner, they talked about things that were happening in each of their lives. She loved it when her dad visited and wanted more then anything to go and live with him. She hated living with her mother ever since she had gotten married again and had to listen to her step's crap. He was an ass plain and simple.

"Daddy, when am I going to come and live with you, you know I hate Mark!" she whined.

"Well honey that's what I wanted to discuss with you. I just bought a house with my girlfriend, you remember I told you about her, and she thinks we should all be a family, me you her and her son."

"Really?"

"Yes, so if you want to, we can go back home and you can pack and I'll pick you up in a few days, she's already gotten your room ready for you."

"Thanks dad! Tell her I appreciate it very much." she replied throwing her arms around her fathers neck.

"No problem baby!"

Later that night he dropped her off at home and left. Anna ran into the kitchen to explain to her mother about the whole ordeal. After about an hour of arguing, her mother decided it wouldn't be that bad of an idea and with that Anna ran strait up to her room to sort out all her stuff.

AJ trudged into his house and up the stairs like a sleepless zombie. It was only 9:00. But it seemed like the longest day of his life. He walked over to his dresser and pulled out a pair of plaid pants . As he reached into his pocket he pulled out a slip of paper. ....... 555-0556. He smiled when he realized who gave him the #. He grabbed the portable and fell on top of his bed as he quickly dialed the number.

"Hello?"came a tired and weary Anna's voice.

"Hey, this is AJ from this morning, did I wake you?"

"I know who you are, no I'm just worn out from packing, that's all," she replied.

"Oh..... how come your packing?"

"I'm moving with my dad, god I never realized how much crap I had." she laughed.

"Really, crap?"he joked.

"That's not what I meant."

"Yeah, I know, just messing with ya."

"What I would do for a cup of coffee" she remarked as she fell onto her bed.

"Well here's an idea, why don't I come pick you up and we can go to Starbucks.."

"What?!?! isn't it a little late to be driving across town, and plus my step would never go for it!"

"How old are you?" he laughed.

"17, 18 in a week, why?"

"And you still cant be out of the house by 9:00?" he laughed.

"I know what your thinking, but it's not that simple, Mark (my step) is a drunk and he's always bitching at me for something!"

"Oh.......I'm sorry."

"It's not you fault, I guess I could go, for a little while," she said, as she walked to her closet.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, he's probably passed out anyway!"

"Ok then, I'll be over in a few."

"K, bye," she said as she hung up the phone. She walked over to the mirror, "I guess I could go in this,"she sighed, she was wearing a baby blue t shirt and some white flood pants. She quickly slipped on her sandals and threw on her dark blue hooded sweatshirt. Her hair was neatly put into a pony and she was ready to go.

AJ grabbed his hat and walked down the stairs.

"Honey, where are you going?" his mother called.

"Just out for a little bit, I'll be back later!"

"Ok, Greg and I wont be here when you get back, there's a key under the mat, see you in a few days!"

"Right mom, bye!" he said and walked out of the house. He got in his car and drove down the street as he listened silently to the radio.

Anna walked down the stairs and into the living room. She quietly crept into the living room where the TV was blaring.

"And where the hell do you think you are going?" Marks voice droned.

"Out." she replied as she grabbed the handle on the door.

"Don't get smart with me girl!" he slurred. "Your not going anywhere!"

"You cant tell me what to do Mark, I will go and please when I want!" she shouted.

Mark stumbled out of his chair and trampled over to her.

"You little bitch, get the hell into your room."

"No!!" she shouted and opened the door. Before she had the chance to leave he slammed the door on her.

"I told you to get the FUCK TO YOUR ROOM!!!!" he shouted.

Anna screamed back at him, it was useless trying to get away from him. He was to big, he did things to her that he shouldn't and her mother didn't stop it.

"LET ME GO!" she cried, as he hit her continuously. When he finally let off she quickly left the house and was about to just leave when AJ arrived.

"Hey!" he said as he got out of the car. Anna couldn't reply, she was too shook up. She tried to hide the tears but it just didn't work.

"What's wrong, my god what happened to you?" he shrieked.

"Nothing, I ...... ran into the door!" she tried to laugh.

"Are you sure?" he replied not quiet believing it.

"Yes, don't you think I would know what happened to myself."

"Yeah, I guess your right, do you still want to go out for coffee?"

"Yes!"she said a little to quickly... "I mean yeah"

AJ gave an odd look and shrugged it off.

The two hopped into his car and drove down to the nearest Starbucks. They ordered there drink and went to sit in a quiet booth.

"Thanks!" she smiled as she sipped her coffee.

"No prob!"

"That's a pretty interesting hat your wearing!" she commented.

"Huh?....oh, you like it?"

"Yeah, it's cute!"

"Here.." he said and placed it on her head.

"Oh yeah! How do I look?"she laughed.

"Hahaha....very nice!"

"Suuureee...."

"God.... you should get some ice on that!" AJ replied as he brushed his thumb over her becoming black eye. Anna gasped as he touched her. He knew she didn't run into a door, and wished he could help but as long as she lied to him, it only kept him farther away from her. "Come on, I'm gonna take you to my place, and we can ice that!"

"Ok," she said as he helped her out of the seat.

AJ and Anna arrived at AJ's place, moment's after.

"Excuse the mess, were still unpacking."

"No problem," she replied as she stepped threw the door way.

"Make yourself at home, I'll go get some ice." AJ walked into the kitchen as Anna walked over and sat on the couch.

He soon returned with a cloth full of ice. He sat on the couch as Anna rested her head on his shoulder, he placed the pack over the left side of her face.

"So you ran into a door?"

"Yep, I was in a hurry!"

"Hmm...... ok, so...."

"So....??"

"Did I tell you I'm in a band?"

"No, you didn't."

"Oh, well I am, Brian is in it too, what a small world," he laughed.

"I guess so, what's the name?"

"I think we decided on The Backstreet Boys."

"Oh, that's great."

"Eh....it's alright, we could have thought of something better, but this guy Nick liked it a lot and the rest didn't seem to mind, so we stuck with it."

"That's cool, so you're a good singer?"

"I would hope so," he laughed.

"Aren't you just full of jokes, sing something for me?"

"Haha, alright, like what?"

"Umm.......anything."

"Lets talk about sex baby, lets talk about you and me, lets talk about all the ........" he continued.

"Hahaha, very good!" she laughed.

"You better believe it!"

The two continued to talk for hours about almost everything that came to mind. After a few more minutes Anna had fallen asleep in AJ's lap, and moments after he had conked out over the top of her as well.