\\You kidnapped me to protect me?// - Private

Jake twitched. "Geez. Fine." he said, parking and getting out as he stomped his way back to the apartment. "Dustin, or whatever. I'm sorry." he said once he found the guy at the computer again. Dustin snickered. "Lemme guess, no bump in the night until you apologize?" he smirked. "Just accept it." Jake said, leaving the room and going to the bathroom to take a shower.

Charisma sighed, looking at Dustin. "If he asks, I'm at my dads." she said simply then left, driving Jake's car to her dad's house. Howard still lived there, if Craig wasn't there, at least Howard would be.

Dustin blinked. "Wait, why?" he asked, but didn't get an answer as Charisma left. He sighed, shaking his head. Jake messed up big time. As she arrived and pressed the doorbell, Howard blinked. "Did he forget his keys again?" Howard muttered as he stood and answered the door. "Oh, hey. Your dad didn't pick up your car?" he asked as he noticed that the car she drove in wasn't really hers.

She nodded. "No, he picked it up, that's Jake's car." she said, walking into her old home. Craig had never moved, this was Liberty's home. "Dustin is at my apartment...." started, sitting on the sofa, her knees to her chest again.

"Aw no....That must be chaotic right now." Howard muttered, whistling as he sat back down in front of the fireplace. "How did he end up there?" he asked, wondering about that himself.

She sighed. "Yesterday, he was watering at the restaurant Jake and I went to. He asked if he could stay with me for a week while he looks for a job."

"You could've just told him to come to our place. We have an extra room ya know. Well, Craig's anyway. I just come here so much that I practically live here." Howard chuckled weakly.

She shrugged. "I don't know... It's Dustin. I'd be lieing if I said I didn't want to atleast be friends with him. And now Jake... Jake is really upset. he's being mean to dustin and making sure that he knows I'm not Dustin's anymore." She sighed. "I needed to get away."

Howard sighed. "Sounds like a lot of chaos then. But still, I think Jake's overreacting a little. You're with him, so that should say alot." he shrugged. "But you're welcome to stay the night, I'm sure." he smiled.

She shook her head. "No... I just need to stay away for a little while. Jake know's where I am. Or, he could guess..." she shrugged.

"No, I'm sure he knows." Howard grinned. "But uh, I'm sure things will cool off soon before the week ends." he said, rubbing Charisma's head.

"I hope so..." she sighed, resting her head on her knees. "I miss my mom..." she said softly.

Howard sighed, nodding. "I know....But, I'm sure she's proud of you." he said, smiling. Craig soon came inside, sighing. "Oh, hey Charisma. What are you doing here?" he asked, confused but also happy that she came over. He kissed her head, taking off his gloves.

"I've got drama going on at my house and I wanted to get away from it." she said softly.

"What happened?" Craig asked as he sat beside her. Howard sighed. "Jake's jealous of Dustin staying over for a week." he explained. "Wait, why did you let that scum of the earth even talk to you?" Craig asked, angry.

She sighed, now hiding her face in her knees. "Because he needed a job and a place to stay while he looked." she mumbled.

"He broke your heart. The least you need to do is be his friend....Why not suggest he stay with us?" Craig suggested, knowing Dustin was a burden.

"Uncle Howard already said that. I think I'll suggest it." she said, raising her head.

"Good. It's better for you than Jake." Craig said, nodding. Rubbing his chin, he smiled. "Hungry?"

She shook her head. She was really just missing her mom right now. "I'm alright."

"Your mother's birthday is coming...You going to visit her grave?" Craig asked, his eyes saying it all. Just saying it hurt him, especially remembering what happened. Howard remained silent.

She shook her head. "I'm really trying to forget... It hurts to much for me to remember." she said softly.

"Still....You have to face it sometime, sweetie." Craig said, knowing that he still felt his heart ache. Howard sighed. "It's alright to forget, they're never gone so long as you keep them in your heart."

"But she is gone." she said, tearing up. She never really got to say good bye. The poster she was making was still unfinished.

Howard sat on the other side of the couch, hugging Charisma. "If you remember her, she's never truly gone. It's alright to see her, even if it's her grave. Craig is." he said, kissing her cheek. Jake however as he was at home and knowing that she left, sighed. He knew of her mom's death and knew that maybe his jealousy was only making things worse.