Harmony High

Jane Wills

I was in Emmett's car once again. Deja-Vu a little, but not really. For the first five minutes of the ride, I just looked out the window. The sky was getting darker and the people were dispersing. It was getting late, so no wonder.

"Are you feeling better?" Emmett asked, taking a left turn.

Taking a sip of my water, I nodded. "Yeah."

"Good,"

We went back to silence, the awkward tension just growing by the second. I felt like I should say something, like a thank-you. But I just couldn't, my throat was stuck. My vocal chords protesting against my will.

Come on! Say thank-you!

"Thank you," I blurted out, still looking out the window.

He didn't say anything at first, but then he had a change of heart. "No problem,"

I sighed, covering my mouth with my hand. I didn't notice how tired I was until now. Glancing at the clock on his dashboard, it read three-thirty-pm. That was early.

"You shouldn't have driven me... I could have called my mother." I looked at him.

His eyes were focused on the road and he had on a straight face. As if no emotion passed his way. But then he looked at me for a quick second, just to see I guess. I wanted to touch his curly hair, I bet they're soft.

"It's fine Janey, stop doing this. I'm not going to guilt-trip you about this." he smiled.

"Okay..." What else could I say to that?

William Franco

It was the next morning and I still found myself in the hospital. I thought it would've been all a nightmare and I'd wake up in my room, safe and sound. I'd wake up with Cassie alive, my parents loving me, and knowing that nothing bad would ever happen. But that's not possible.

Taking a look at the lounge chairs, I found Avery sleeping.

"Ave," I said, hearing the croak in my voice. Clearing my throat, I tried again. "Avery,"

Her eyes fluttered open and I couldn't help but smile.

"Will, you're awake!" She smiled and ran up to me.

Carly Froyd


I wake up and check my watch, school doesn't start for twenty more minutes. I get up and shove my jacket into my bag. I hide my stuff in a clump of weeds in the garden and pull out my toothbrush and toothpaste and shove them into my pocket. I grab a change of clothes and walk into the building. I enter the nearest bathroom and get ready for the day. When I come out a few people are walking in the building already. I sneak out and put my stuff back in the garden. I go back inside and head to class. No one even notices that I came from the garden. At lunch today, I'm going to find Luna, I need to talk to her.

*****************************************************************



Matt Derekson


I didn't sleep at all last night. I was too worried about Carly. I hope she's alright. I mean, I know she can take care of herself, she's always had to, but she could be anywhere. I hope she comes to school today, so I can make sure she's alright and stayed safe last night. I haven't heard from her since she left. It's quite scary when the one you love, who is also your best friend, disappears and you don't know what will happen. Although, it was also quite scary when she was in that house. When I first get to school, I'm nervous because I don't see her for a while. She's always the first one here, the three of us always are. Lauren and I sit patiently and wait. I'm starting to freak out, but after a while I am relieved to see her walk in. "Carly!" I say with relief as I run over to hug her. She is obviously deep in thought about something much more important though. I wonder what.

Luna

We were headed to the hospital gift shop when I heard Chris and Lena arguing.

"What's on your mind?" Chris asked Avery.

"Oh. N-Nothing." she replied.

"Try me."

I blinked. Me?

"Its Luna."

"What about her?" Chris said.

"Well... You know, it seems Luna likes Will. I'm just afraid if she'll get in the way of Avery." she said, speaking fast, in a low voice. "I mean, she bought roses for him--"

Chris cut her off, apparently a little annoyed. "Lena, how can you say that? She saved our lives! And the roses were for Will so that it made him feel better! You don't go bitching about a girl you just met 2 hours back!"

"I know. I know. But it makes Avery feel bad, you know? The thing that she didn't get anything for Will, after being her girlfriend."

"I think Avery was just plain worried about him. Did you see her? She never left! That's a really sweet thing."

"I just said my opinion." she said, sternly.

That made me mad. Who the hell is she to assume just because I gave a guy flowers I had crush on him? I moved away from them and into and Isle filled with teddy bears. They were giant and fuzzy and adorably cute. The fur was so soft.

"Hey." Avery walks up.

I smile at her. "Hey, what's up?"

She runs forward and wraps her arms around me. I'm too surprised to do anything but hug her back.

"I just wanted to thank you again for saving Will and Chris's life." she sniffles.

"Um, you're welcome." it's more of a question than a reply.

She pulls away and wipes her eyes. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to attack you."

"It's fine." I shrug and smile. Avery walks off.

I move towards the entrance of the store and hear Chris.

"I'm hanging up my guitar strings. I don't really want to sing in front of anyone anymore." he says.

I frown. Why would he stop playing? I walk over to where he's standing. "Hey."

He turns to look at me. "Yea?"

"I couldn't help but over hear you say you were hanging up your guitar." I say.

He shrugs and looks away. "It's nothing."

"It doesn't sound like nothing." I raise and eye brow.

"The only reason I say anything is because I play myself." I lean against the wall. "I couldn't imagine not playing. I love it too much."

"You play?" he raises and eye brow.

"Just about everything there is." I smile proudly.

"What other talent do you have?" he asks.

"Well you know how I was able to kick that prick's ass?" I turn towards him.

"I was wondering." he nods.

"Well, I have a few black belts in Martial Arts." I tuck a lock of hair behind my ear.

"Really?" he smiled wide.

"Yep." I nodded. "Since I was 15."

"Cool." he nodded in approval.

I looked at my phone. "I love every minute it. I have to go, but maybe we can jam sometime?"

"Maybe." he shrugged.

I was rounding the corner when someone walked straight into me. I put an arm up to their neck and pressed them up against the wall. It was just Lena. I pulled away.

"My bad." I tucked another stray lock behind my ear. "That was an accident I didn't mean to do that. Knee jerk reaction."

I blushed slightly. I need to stop doing that!!

"It's ok." she said cautiously.

"See you later." I waved and began to walk away, but turned back towards her. "Oh , and if you're assume something about me, i'd rather you say it to me about it and not behind my back. You don't know me and i'd appreciate it if you kept your mouth shut."

She was too stunned to reply, and I didn't stay around long enough to hear it. I head back to school.



I find Lini in the cafeteria with a few other people. I sit down beside her and steal a drink of her apple juice.

"Hey," Lini smiled. "did you get your bag?"

"Nah," I shook my head. "a little mishap at the gym put a stop to that."

"Ah," she nodded her head. "I heard about that. You kicked that guys ass from what I heard. Gimme some skin sis."

"Well what else was I supposed to do?" I slapped her hand. "Ass holes like him deserve it."

Just then someone tapped me on my right shoulder.

Spoiler

Paging Carly!! You're up!

Lena

I was examining the small books on the shelves. Man, they were amazing. They looked all too pretty but I guess Will wouldn't like preppy stuff. I took out a book full of candy. Chris did say he had a sweet tooth for candy. This could be it. It looked cool too. Just a guy book.

I walked to the counter, and payed for it. On the other side, Luna was talking to Chris. Oh, great. Now, she's picking up on my boyfriend. Or not. I pretended to be looking at a couple of small stuffed toys so I could hear them.

"You play?" Chris raises an eye brow.

"Just about everything there is." Luna smiles. What a show-off.

"What other talent do you have?" he asks.

"Well you know how I was able to kick that prick's ass?" Luna turn towards him.

"I was wondering." Chris said.

"Well, I have a few black belts in Martial Arts." said Luna, tucking a lock of hair behind.

"Really?" he smiled wide.

"Yep." Luna nodded. "Since I was 15."

"Cool." he nodded in approval.

Luna looked at her phone. It seemed that she got a text. "I love every minute it. I have to go, but maybe we can jam sometime?"

Jam sometime? What does that mean?

"Maybe." Chris said, shrugging.

I heard Luna come out and I was about to go Chris, when suddenly she grabs a hold of me on the neck and pins me to the wall. Ouch. I mean, really? I know some fighting too! I've learned Judo anyway, but I didn't do anything. Apparently, she didn't know it was me but when she realized it, she left me. I'm sure she did it on purpose!

"My bad." she said, smirking.

"It's okay." I said, giving her a glare and turned to walk to Chris but she stopped me.

"See you later." Luna waved and began to walk away, but turned back towards me. "Oh , and if you're assuming something about me, I'd rather want you to say it to me about it and not behind my back. You don't know me and I'd appreciate it if you kept your mouth shut."

Wow, that was fast. What a bitch. Really. I mean, hitting off with another guy was more of a fat loser thing. That too, two guys. And she says I don't know her. Well, I'd rather not. I wouldn't want to be friends with bitchy hoe's like her who shows-off. Anyway, I get with her at school.

I look at Chris, who seems to be thinking of something. Then, he blurts out :-

"Lena, did you know Luna know's how to play? And also, she knows some serious karate." he says, showing me a pose and I just shake my head.

"I noticed. She almost killed me there." I replied.

"Why what happened?" he asks, curiously.

"Well, she caught me by my neck. Thought I was going to kill her. Pfft. Yeah, right. I could have. Trying to steal other's boyfriend couldn't be much of a loser thing." I say, rolling my eyes.

"Are you alright?" he asks.

"No! I'm not! Apparently, that hoe, over heard our conversation! And she told me to tell things to her face rather than assuming. You know what? Tomorrow, will be the day things will change. I'll go tell her. The way she likes it." I respond, grinning.

"Lena, don't get yourself into trouble." Chris spat.

"This isn't trouble. This is of getting between people's relationship! And telling me to keep my mouth shut? Oh, ho, ho! She hasn't got Lena Crystal right. Maybe she doesn't know that last year, I scared almost everyone out. Ze "Trouble maker", I was."

Chris shook his, angry. "Lena, leave Luna alone! It was just a nice thing of her to bring roses for Will!"

"Yeah, what about killing me, right that moment? And over hearing our conversation? Eavesdropping for unnecessary things!" I said, and stormed off the gift shop.

Note that I've made changes to my post where Luna almost breaks Lena's neck. I want no beef!! And Luna would win anyways:)I would've posted on an SB discussion, but I couldn't find one. If there is one will someone post a link for me?

Chris

Great. Now we weren't fighting about the whole Josie-Lena-Chris thing, but whether or not Luna was up to something. I almost went after her when she left, but I knew not to. It would only make things worse. I was just mad that she thought that Luna was up to something, just because she was nice. I was also scared for her if she called her out. Lena was tough, but so was Luna.

"Where'd Luna go?" Avery asked, eyes wide. "And Lena?"

"Luna went home, I guess, and Lena..." I hesitated a minute. "well, she thinks Luna's trying to get with me or Will."

Avery raised an eyebrow. "Really? I thought she seemed nice. I hope she knows not to go after my Willy-boo, though."

"Exactly!" I said. "She's just a cool girl. I still really like Lena, but I really don't want her confronting Luna tomorrow. They both know how to fight, and it won't end well."

Avery nodded. "We'll talk to her tomorrow if she still wants to do it."

"Thank you for backing me up in this," I said, running a hand through my hair. "What time is it?"

"Oh wow, it's 1:30 in the morning!" Avery gasped.

"Shit," I groaned. "I gotta go home. Do you need a ride now that Lena's gone?"

She shook her head. "Nah, I think I'll stay here. I'll have my dad pick me up later in the day, so I'll probably be late to school."

"Alright. I'll look up some songs we can sing for Will and I'll bring pictures in."

"Sounds good. See you later," she gave me a small hug.

"Later," I hugged her back before hurrying outside.

Spoiler

I know Lena is the shy and prep type, but she knows some serious fighting that can put someone to stand on their hands. She knows Judo and proficient boxing. So, she wouldn't lose to a fight like that. She always wins too. =) But, the thing is. I'm trying to get Luna and Lena on the friendship side. She only said all those things because she was depressed. Lena might make an argument with Luna and I request you not to put in some bruises. Thanks.

Lena

After I stormed off, I went straight back home. First, it was the Josie-Chris-Lena thing. Second, Will getting shot. Thirdly, Luna getting in the way to hit on some two hot guys that she doesn't even know properly. I mean, I have sense on how to look at a girl's attitude. A girl showing off or being a little too kind and sweet, blushing rapidly at every minute, can exactly tell you what are her plans.

But I think I was too harsh on Chris. He didn't do anything and I just screamed at him for no reason. Okay. There is a reason. A reason that Luna was being too kind and she was just showing off. And now that I know, she got Avery, Will and Chris influenced that she's the good guy and I'm the bad. Awesomeness.

Not.

I flopped on to my bed. If Chris really did like me, he would have come for me to tell me I was sorry. But he didn't. Or maybe, he thought I should be best left alone. Yeah, that would be it.

I was on FB, when Vivienne's chat popped open.

Vivi: Hey girl! xD

Lena: 'Sup? :/

Vivi: Wat r u doin in online in the middle of the night?

Lena: Oh, nothing. Couldn't sleep.

Vivi: Chris?

Lena: That's one. Another is Will. And a girl called Luna.

Vivi: Oh Luna, the toughie. she thinks she's all cool and strong. sounds like piece of shit to me. how's will?

Lena: that.made.me.feel.so.much.better! will is alright. he needs rest though.

Vivi: of course. don't worry 'bout luna. why r u so upset with her?

Lena: she's hitting on will and chris! DD:

Vivi: no way! i'll never make her meet my boyfriend then. >.<

Lena: haha. P well, she's hitting on chris more actually. :/

Vivi: girl, if you like him, why don't you just say it before lover dovey luna grabs him away?

Lena: maybe. but no. i just said there's nothing between us a few hours back. i can't change my words all of a sudden.

Vivi: suit yourself then.

Lena: wat r u doin rite now? o.O

Vivi: oh, you know. online makin-out with Chad. he is so good at it. he's online touching my boobs now.

Lena: not fun dude. you r supposed to experience it physically.

Vivi: yeah! i forgot to tell you. i'm going over to chad's house tomorrow. he invited me over. we both. all alone. snuggling, cuddling, making out. how cute. <3'

Memories flash by of me and Chris. That night. Oh my gosh. I almost forgot that I made-out with Chris. I feel so guilty. If only his warm, strong body was there for me, to protect me, make me feel warm.

Lena: well you have fun! i gtg now. bye, lovely. mwah. :*

Vivi: thanks and bye!

I signed off, closed my laptop, and dozed off.

Just posted a DT for this SB if there isn't already one. viewtopic.php?f=200&t=95436
If there is one than just let me know

Chris

"100 free kick, 25 slow, 25 sprint, 25 slow, 25 sprint. Ready... Go!" I shouted from one of the diving platforms.

It was kind of nice to be the one giving orders. The guys grumbled but grabbed their kick boards and began kicking. Coach put an arm around me, startling me enough to nearly make me fall in the water.

"You're doin' a good job McKenzie," he said. "We'll get these guys in shape soon enough. I want you to do land drills with them next."

"Sure thing, Coach," I said, absentminded.

He turned to leave, but turned back on his heel and faced me. "Oh and Chris, I heard what happened last night, and I just wanted to say that I'm sorry about what happened to your friend," he said gruffly. "How is he?"

I swallowed hard, remembering what happened. "H-he'll be okay. He's still in the hospital for now. Thank you, sir."

He patted my back awkwardly and left. I turned my attention back to the swimmers, who were just finishing their last lap.

"Alright, 200 butterfly; first 50 arms, 50 kick, 100 stroke. Ready... Go!"


*****

Josie didn't say anything when I walked in, but she just politely nodded. It was better than being completely ignored. When class ended, she hung back by the door, waiting for me.

"Hey," she stammered when I reached the door. "I heard what happened to Will. I'm really sorry, Chris."

Oh god. Did everyone know? "Thanks. It means a lot," I sighed.

"Are you okay? You look really tired," she asked after a second.

"Not really. I couldn't sleep last night," I gave a weak smile. "I'll be okay. It's just scary, ya know? To think that that happened to one of my friends and that it almost happened to me too..." I stopped myself, shaking my head.

"I hope you both feel better," she said before leaving.

I was heading to my next class when someone texted me.

@Nike: I feel so bad when there's two of your posts without mne in the middle. I love that you do it, really, but it just makes me feel sorta bad.

Emmett Lopez

"Okay..." Jane drops off, as if unsure what else to say, as if genorosity was an uncommon feelng.

Oh, wait.

"Good." I say, drawing close on the subject. The 'thank you' warmed my heart, but I didn't want to make her feel even more awkward. After a moment I will the words. "You can ask me whatever you want to, you know. I know all this stuff about you, after all."

She shrugs her slim shoulders, knowing the words are all-too awakwardly true but not wanting to admit it. " I suppose so. What's the worst thing you've ever done?" She said the words with an almost skeptical tone, as if she doubted I would answer completely and honestly.

I cringe. Should've expected that one, after everything. I could lie. I always lie, but I think Jane would know better. Besides, all she really knew about me was my name and that I had a half-decent car. I take a deep breathe. "Three months ago. I have a younger sister, Lacey. Junior. She was really unsteady as a kid, and I'm protective of her. She didn't come home one nght, and it was really late. Her boyfriend at the time was really sketchy, so I went out and drove around looking for them. I found his car, wth him and a very naked Lacey inside." I keep my eyes on the black top spreading out in front of me. "The guy was my size, but I swung him out of the car and hit him upside the jaw anyway. He didn't like that." I grimanced. "He moved to hit me- looking like an idiot because he was naked- and Lacey moved inbetween us. When he hit her... God, I don't know. He ran away or something, and Lacey got into my car after she grabbed her clothes and generally swung them on. I didn't talk to her the whole way home, even when she tried to explain herself. When we got home, she stomped away to her room and I took an aspirin. Then another. And another. I got so high, I forgot everything. Lacey came into my room at about three in the morning to explain herself again. She saw me like that, and she freaked. She showed me what I'd done the next day. Hand marks around her wrist. And that's the worst thing I ever did. So now you know that I've done some terrible things too."

I feel Jane's eyes on me. She's probably suprised I'd said it all out loud. To Her. I turn to face her, easing on to the brake a little so I could just look at her looking at me. It felt... really nice, to be looking at someone and know that they know at least a little part of you- a God-awful part, but still a part. I know that the thought of it should be scaring the crap out of me, but it feels good...

and I almost want more.

Would hugging her be awful? Would a kiss on the top of the head kill us? She did let me call her 'Janey'.

I turn back to the road. Common sense, Emmett Lopez. Common sense.

The day is pretty quiet, but I keep thinking about what I should say to Luna. Matt asks me to go back to his house after school because he really needs to talk to me in private. At lunch I come up and tap Luna on the shoulder. "Hey," she says, "What's up!?" "I really need to talk to you, it's really important." I say. "Have a seat." she responds, understanding the seriousness in my tone. "Okay, so I've been thinking about what you said at the party. Um, well when I was cleaning up from the party with Matt, we started kissing and my mom came in, and, well, you know the rest. So I. Uh. I ran away and slept, well, here last night. I just, don't know what to do now and was hoping you could help me?" I am tearing up a bit, it's painful to talk about. I really didn't have to mention what happened, she can probably tell by the bruises and the black eye. I just sit back and wait for her to respond.

Luna

As it turns out Carly was the one who tapped me on my shoulder."Hey, what's up?"

I see the bruises on her face and the black eye she has. It makes my blood boil for a moment, but I take a deep breath.

"I really need to talk to you, it's really important." Carly says.

"Have a seat." I scoot over to make room for her.

"Okay," she takes a deep breath. "so I've been thinking about what you said at the party. Um, well when I was cleaning up from the party with Matt, we started kissing and my mom came in, and, well, you know the rest. So I. Uh. I ran away and slept, well, here last night. I just, don't know what to do now and was hoping you could help me?"

Her eyes begin to blur with tears as she sits back and waits for my response. I look at her until she begins to squirm. I know what my answer's gonna be, but she doesn't. Horrible aren't I? I decide to put an end to her suffering and speak.

"Well," I worry my lower lip thoughtfully as if i'm still thinking about it. "I just have a few questions."

"What are they?" her fists clench tightly.

"What took you so long?" I cross my arms over my chest.

My question seems to take her by surprise and I smile as I reach out to pull her hand into mine. "I'm here to lend a hand. Just tell what you need and i'm there."

Lena

I didn't feel like going to school the next day but I had to. I had my art classes and I needed to get Luna straight before she jumps into her next plan. I sighed, grabbed my art set and set off to go to the school.

I reached school faster than I realized. I closed the door with a bang, my eye lids so heavy that I could fall right now, and go right back to sleep. Maybe, art will get things to leave my mind. I wasn't in the mood to even talk to Luna, really.

I don't know what made me feel think bad about Luna. Maybe she is nice. Maybe. I pass Carly and Luna without knowing it when Luna calls over to me. I turned over to her, giving a little yawn.

"Hey." she says, walking to me, Carly just behind. "I see you've taken my advice."

"Who said so?" I asked, still looking bored.

"I noticed. Good thing."

"Oh, well. I don't have time to argue over losers like you, anyway. So, I just left it." I responded, and I turned to head over to art class when the freshmen stopped me.

"You don't call Luna a loser!" she shouted for the whole hall to hear.

Luna caught her by the shoulder. "Relax. She's just pissed."

Me? Pissed? What?!

I was a little more alive now. I saw Chris by the corner of my eye but I ignored him. "Pissed is for losers like you, Luna. I would suggest you to get to the good side of me."

"And if I don't?" Luna grinned.

"You're in for a good deal." I reply, and make my way to art class but stop at my heals. Oh, I forgot to do what she wanted. "And listen. About telling you things to your face, catch this. I think you were hitting on Will and Chris. If you weren't, good for you. Because Avery sure wouldn't like you hitting on her boyfriend. And about Chris. He's booked by Josie. She's just like you. Can make a couple of bruises if she likes. Bye, now."

That felt good. Luna didn't say anything other than roll her eyes at me. Now, we've both given out answers we both didn't like. Fair enough. I head to Art Class where I was welcomed by Ms. Claire.

"Hi Ms. Claire." I said, beaming.

"Why, 'morning Lena." she said, looking through her glasses which was standing on her nose.

I deposited my kit on the table, humming.

"I heard about Will." Ms. Claire said, taking off her glasses. "Sorry to hear that. He's alright, yes?"

"Yeah, he's fine. It wasn't too deep since he reached the hospital fast. He needs rest though." I reply. How did she know?

"Ah, yes. That's good to hear. Now, Lena. Since you're the finest art student I could find, other than my assistant - Rose, of course, I have some bad news and good news." Ms. Claire said with a small smile.

I laughed and set my painting easel and turned to her. "Well, I have enough of bad news, one more won't hurt. I'll hear that first."

"Okay, as you wish. The bad news is, Rose is pregnant."

Woah. "What? Rose is pregnant? But she's just 20! Not married yet!"

"I know! Apparently, she was pregnant even when she was teaching you all Leaf Album Painting, but she didn't tell me! She kept it quiet."

I gasped. "What? How could she? How did she get pregnant? She's not married, is she?"

"No..."

Oh my. "Don't tell me she...?"

"Had... You know... Physical contact with her boyfriend."

This is what I love about Ms. Claire. She's just like all the other students, so free and doesn't take our words too seriously.

"You mean sex? Serious sex?" My eyes-widened.

"Shh. Don't let anyone hear you. Yeah, that."

"Oh. My. God. Okay, too much to swallow! Then?" I ask.

"So, she just told me a week back and she resigned day before yesterday." Ms. Claire said, with a gloomy face.

"Aw, Ms. Claire, don't worry. Everything will be alright. We'll find someone else!"

"That's the good news. I'm assigning you to her position! You're it, Lena!"

I wanted to jump around. I was so excited! Me, an assistant of my Art teacher. I'm going to teach everyone all sorts of art. I can go teach associations! Ms. Claire has always been setting up campaigns and everything. I was too stunned to speak.

"Shocked?" she asks me, with a smile. "There's another thing. You start today."

"Oh my gosh!" I said, and jump to give her a huge hug. "Thank you so much, Ms Claire! I love you!"

She gives me a pat. "Well, your things are there in the shelf. Its all your's now."

I run to see it. So many pretty things! I have to tell Chris! Oh, wait. I can't. I sighed and sat there, examining all the books about Art.

Spoiler

It's okay Really, I would kind of like it though if you w=could find time to write because I really don't know what Emmett wants to do, what his reactions would be. All that. But don't feel bad! Seriously, sometimes I don't even have time to write.

Jane Wills

Emmett drove into the driveway and put the gear into Park. We just sat there for a while, staring at my house. It was a Victorian from the eighteen hundreds', newly renovated but still looks the same. Fresh coat of paint a little repairs. A great home.

"I don't know why you bother to help me, you barely know me." I said, still looking at my home.

"I'm just being nice," he sighed.

I know it's getting annoying, the whole 'you shouldn't have done this' thing I do. But to tell you the truth, it's still shocking to me.

"You have to get used to the fact people want to help you." he added.

"I'm sorry, it's just..." I turned to look at him, he was already looking at me. "It's hard to understand. My family has even turned on me."

Why was I being so honest with him? Just because he told me about his sister. I felt bad and I guess I needed to tell him something about me even though I already did. Ugh, I needed help.

"I don't think it's right. Your family can't turn on you. Why would they turn on you?"

My watch was ticking. They were expecting me home. I should get out.

"Long story," I said as I picked up my backpack. Holding onto the door handle, I opened the door. A gust of cold wind hit my face, winter was coming, damn.

"I have time," he said.

Turning to look at him, I saw how sincere his eyes were. My heart jumped from my chest when he put on a kind smile. I hopped back into the car, shutting the door.

"I have a drinking problem," I admitted, avoiding his eyes.

"What took you so long?" Luna asks. She pulls my hand into hers. "I'm here to lend a hand. Just tell me what you need and I'm there." "Well actually, I need to know what to do, where to go next. I have no where to go, I can't stay at my friends' houses because that's just to obvious. I need advice." I practically beg for an answer. I really need help, normally I'm pretty independant, but I don't know what I'm doing this time. I won't last long without any help. I watch her ponder my plee for a while.Then she looks me in the eyes sympathetically as she answers.

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At lunch Carly sits with us for a few minutes. She hasn't been herself today, but I can understand why. She agrees to come by my place after school while my parents are at work, I really need to talk to her in private. About us; about the kiss that night; about what might have happened if her mother didn't interrupt yesterday. I need to know where this is going. At lunch she sits across from me, and I get lost in her huge, chocolate brown eyes. They just look so sad, always do from that house, unless it's just the three of us; but now when they should show joy and freedom, they show sadness, emptiness, aloness, and even fear; they've been that way since last night, but they also show her determination to stay out of that hellhole of a home. I just silently look into her eyes until I see her get up and walk away. She goes over and sits with a girl that seems vaguely familiar. They talk for a minute, then Carly says something and starts tearing up. I debate whether or not I shouuld go over there. The other girl takes Carly's hand. She's obviously trying to comfort her. Much better, but I've still got my eye on this one, and on everyone. Carly doesn't look so good, some people are concerned, which upsets her to think about, but others are laughing at her more than usual today. It kills me to watch on a normal day, but today when it's worse I've almost lost it a few times. I sit and watch the rest of their conversation.