Chapter 3

CRASH! The lamp.

I could hear the footsteps pounding against the hardwood floor. I covered my mouth as tightly as I could to quiet my breathing. I quietly slid open my bedroom door an inch, scanning the hallway. It was silent as I slipped out of my room. I tiptoed to the landing of the stairs. Suddenly, I heard it: my mother's shriek.

"Leave me alone, please!!!!" I heard my mom cry. I pushed back the tears forming in my eyes. I crouched onto the first step, staying out of sight. Looking down from above, I noticed a lifeless body laid out on the floor, blood spilling from a gunshot wound to the head. I felt the tears start to spill silently as I realized it was my dad.

Suddenly, my mom came running out of the living room, tripping over the lamp that had toppled over. She fell with a thud, looking up at her assailant. "Please..." she whimpered, trying to plea for her life. In an instant, our eyes met for a split second. The look in my mom's eyes were a mixture of fear, love, and some courage. My eyes widened, and then closed tight as I heard the bang noise of the bullet that killed my mother. Before I ran back into my bedroom to hide, i got a glimpse of the blood pooling from my mother's head....

I opened my eyes, and sat up in the bed, my heart pounding, and my whole body sweating. I could feel the tears running down my face. I took some deep breaths as I noticed where I was: Steven's house.

I pulled the covers back and stood up, hugging myself and trying to calm my speeding heart rate.

"Lana? What's wrong??" I heard Steven ask groggily.

I took a breath. "Nothing...it's nothing.."

He sat up on his side of the bed. "Did you have a nightmare?"

I sighed. "Yeah, but seriously. It's not a problem. Go back to sleep."

Steven chuckled. "Well I'm up now. Plus it's like 11am.."

I took some more deep breaths. Steven's eyes met mine, concern written on his face. He stood up, circled around to stand in front of me, and caressed my cheek.

"Are you sure you're okay, Lana??" he asked. I forced a smile.

"Yeah...totally..I should go.." I replied, starting to pick up my stuff.

"You don't have to; I thought maybe we could go to lunch or something.." Steven smirked.

I grinned. "Oh, really? What makes you think I'm hungry?"

As if on cue, my stomach growled. I rolled my eyes, just as Steven grinned with arrogance.

I sighed, smiling up at him. "Let me put not pajamas on, and we can go."

******

About 20 minutes later, Steven and I arrived at a small and cozy pizza place. We sat down in a booth, and a waitress walked over with a smile.

"May I get you something to drink?" she asked cheerfully.

"Just a water for me.." I responded.

"And the same for me.." Steven said.

"What can I get you for lunch?" the waitress asked again.

"Pizza." Steven and I said at the same time.

15 minutes later, we had everything we ordered at the table. I ate my slice pretty quick, and so did Steven.

I looked at Steven, and he was smiling at me.

"What?"

"You're just really beautiful. I wanna figure you out.." he smiled softly.

I chuckled. "That will take awhile...I'm very complicated.."

Steven grasped my hand across the table. "I'm up for the challenge."

I felt a blush spread to my cheeks, as I let out a soft giggle. "Don't you think, it's time for us to go?"

"Go where?" Steven asked.

"I guess we could go to my apartment. I already saw your house."

Steven stood up from the booth, holding out his hand to help me up like a gentlemen. I took it.

"Then let us make our way there."

*******

When we arrived on my floor, I noticed Grant standing outside my apartment.

I smiled, and waved. "Hey, Grant!! How long have you been standing there?"

Grant grinned. "About a minute."

I chuckled to myself. "Sorry I left you at the club, I went home with--"

"Steven Tyler..nice to meet you." Steven held out his hand for Grant to shake.

Grant shook it, with a look of shock on his face.

He smiled smugly at me. "Now it's understandable.."

I felt my face heating up. Grant smiled at both of us. "I'll let you two alone. Talk to you later, Lana."

I stuck out my tongue secretly at Grant, as he exited towards his apartment.

I opened my door, and we walked inside. We made our way into the living room part, and Steven sat down on the couch.

"Nice place." he nodded approvingly.

"Not as divine as yours." I countered.

I sat down on the chair across from Steven and looked at him. He glanced at the picture on the table next to the couch. It was my only photograph of my parents. He picked it up gently, looking at it.

My stomach twisted into a knot, and I stood up, walked over and snatched it from him.

He looked shocked. "Lana, what...what's wrong?"

I sighed, as tears started to escape. "Please don't touch this.." I murmured.

Steven looked up at me. "Why? Who are they? Are they-"

"They're my parents."

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