"Bridget," he huffed like he was out of breath, "why won't you return my calls?" His short sandy brown locks were tapered in a mess of sweat and determination.

Bridget simply walked away, but Bryant grabbed her arm roughly. "Ow," she cried, "stop it."

"Hey," Frankie shouted, loosening Bryant's grip on Bridget.

Bryant let out a chuckle. "And who is this? Your new play thing?"

Bridget couldn't take it. Grinding her teeth, she wound up and punched him in his left eye with all her power. He feel back with a hard thud. "I think you better get out of here, Bryant," Brudget suggested, "We're through."

"I'm not giving you up that easy," Bryant sputtered, touching his soar eye. Bridget briskly walked toward the front yard with Tiyanna and Frankie close on her tail. Sasha assured everyone that everything was OK as Bryant shook the shock from his body.

"I am so embarassed," she confessed sadly, turing towards her two friends.

"Is he always like that?" Frankie asked in disbelief.

"Good old Bryant," Tiyanna sighed, "he's been doing that for months now."

"I don't want him to find me tonight and he will try to," Bridget sighed, taking a seat on the cold grass as the moon attempted to brighten her downcasted face. "I know I need to talk to him but I don't want to do it tonight."

"You can stay at my place," Tiyanna suggested, touching Ridge's left arm slightly.

"He can find me there," Bridget reminded her out of despiration, shrugging her shoulders, "I don't want to put your parents through his trouble."

"What about my house?" Frankie asked her. "I don't think he'll be able to track you there," he chuckled.

"I don't know..." Bridget pondered as she heard hard footsteps along the driveway. She bolted towards the bushes with Frankie and Tiyanna right behind her as Bryant staggered down the driveway, wiping at his nose and scanning the perimiter. His cold eyes set towards the bushes of hiding but were redirected to a tin garbage can. He smashed it with his foot numerous times, frowning angrily. He then stuffed his hand deep into his pockets as he proceeded towards his car.

"Maybe I'll take you up on that offer, Frankie," Bridget reconsidered. Frankie nodded and Tiyanna gave her a warm hug.

Bridget apologiesed to Sasha as she left with Franke, Matt and Jesse. Sasha just smiled and gave her a hug. "You deserve better than that," Sasha whispered to her.

"I'm starting to realize that now," Ridge whispered back. The guys and Bridget piled into Mr. Galasso's black Ford Explorer and took off down the road.

After about 20 minuetes, they arrived at Frankie's house. It was a 2 story brick house that was identical to the rest of houses on his block. His flowerbed contained yellow and pink impatients that seemed to sag with the night moon.

"Can I use your phone, Frankie?" Bridget asked as they stepped inside.

"Sure," he replied, "It's in the kitchen." Bridget strolled into the kitchen and left a message on her answering machine. It said something to the effect that she was at a friend's house, she was okay and she would be home in the morning. Bridget downcasted her eyes, believeing her mother didn't care if she jumped off the face of the earth.

"I think Bridget's gonna need something to sleep in," Jesse suggested as he rolled out his dark blue sleeping bag. Bridget was just taking in Frankie's room. It had white walls with dark green carpeting. A burly closet stood next to his door and next to that, his computer table. The dresser stood alone on the left side of the room holding picture frames, boxes and "manly" things. It was just like any other 16 year old's room.

"No kidding, braniac," Franke replied as he rummaged through his drawer for a T-Shirt. Bridget uncomfortably sat on Frankie's wooden bed with dark green sheets and pillows. Frankie pulled out an XL white Creed T-Shirt. "Is this OK?" Frankie asked Ridge with an outstretch arm.

"Yeah," Bridget assured him, taking it with a smile, "It's fine. I'll go get change." With that, she hopped off the bed and headed toward the door. "Ya know," she started as she turned to the guys, "I never said how much I appreciate you doing all this for me. It kinda...reassures me not all guys are jerks and have no heart." Frankie just let out a little smile as she walked down the dark hallway to the bathroom.

"Yo man," Matt yelled waving his handin front of Frankie's face.

"Huh?" he asked, snapping back into reality.

"I don't wanna sound harsh but this isn't...like you," Matt informed him, laying on his comfy sleeping bag.

"Yeah," Jesse agreed, sweeping back his blond locks, "like you don't really know anythign about this girl."

"All I know is," Frankie replied, tossing some empty Peanut Chews wrappers in the frosted white pail next to his computer chest, "that she needs a friend who won't make judgement on her. Besides, If you saw her like I did, you would have wanted to help her too."

Matt and Jesse just nooded their heads as Ridge strolled back into the room. "How do I look," she asked, doing a little twirl.

"Hoooooooot," Jesse replied witgh a whistle. He got a punch in the arm in return. "Ow!" Ridge giggled.

"Sooo," Ridge started, sitting next to Frankie, "You guys are from Westchester?"

"Born and raised," Matt replied.

"I have an aunt who lives up there," she informed them, "great lady."

After 10 minuetes of talking and laughing, Frankie took charge lol. "Well, we better hit the sack," Frankie informed them, making brief eye contact with Bridget, "We have that Trendfest thing tomorrow and before that some interviews."

They all agreed and Frankie offered Bridget his bed. She declined saying that he was doing enough for her all ready. All she wanted was to be safe tonight.