devilsdelight

Deanna's eyes threatened to close as she typed furiously on her laptop. She had to get her paper done. Her roommate was coming home soon, and she wouldn't be able to finish it then. She typed the last couple of sentences, got up from her chair, and stretched, pressing print on the computer. Grabbing her pyjamas, she walked into the bathroom.

As she was brushing her teeth, the front door downstairs opened, "Dee? Are you home?" A voice called.

"Up here, Shayna!" Deanna heard footsteps briskly run up the stairs and from the corner of the mirror, she saw her roommate come into view.

"Whatcha up to?" Shayna took her curly, brown hair out of its ponytail and turned to Deanna.

Deanna shrugged, "Getting ready for bed."

"Dee, it's only 6:30! You're going to bed at 6:30 on a Friday night?"

"Nothing better to do."

"Oh, yes there is," Shayna left and walked towards Deanna's room. Only slightly curious, Deanna followed.

Searching Deanna's closet, Shayna brought out a low-cut, silk red flowery top with a black tie that's just under the bust line and ties up at the back, along with loose, black kapris, "You're coming to a party with me. We've been roommates for two and a half months and I'm sick and tired of you moping around here all day. You hardly ever go out, only to class. You. Are. Coming. With. Me."

"But, I really am tired, Shay," Deanna snatched the clothes and threw them carelessly back into the closet.

"We don't have to stay for too long. Come on, Deanna, loosen up," Shayna paused for a second, a thoughtful look on her face, "Hey, isn't today the day that John guy comes home?"

"It's Jack. And yeah, it is," Deanna's tone was surprised. She didn't think Shayna would remember about Jack, she had mentioned Jack maybe once or twice. She hadn't gone into detail, just said that "they wanted different things, and broken up". She had forgotten today was the day the boys were due back. She hadn't talked to any of the boys since they went their separate ways.

"Are you going to talk to him?"

"I- I don't know. I haven't talked to any of the guys in 3 months."

Shayna grabbed the clothes back from the closet, "Alright, you can talk to him later, but tonight you are coming to this party with me. There is no way I am going there alone."

Deanna took the clothes but held them at her side. She tilted her head at her friend, "Isn't Richard coming?" She was referring to Shayna's boyfriend.

"He's working 'till 12 tonight. So get ready, and we'll be leaving in… 45 minutes sound good?"

Deanna sighed, "Fine, but if I have to drag your drunken body home again, I'm not going to another party with you," she shook her finger sternly at Shayna.

Shayna rolled her eyes and laughed, "Okay. You can call a cab."

Deanna laughed and pushed her friend out of her room, "I'll be ready in about half an hour."

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"Jack, we're here," Alex's voice chirped through the bunk area.

Jack groaned sleepily, "Here where?"

"Here Maryland. As in here home," Rian's head popped through the curtain on Jack's bunk.

As soon as Jack heard the word home, he sat up and climbed out of his bunk. He had been counting down the days until he'd be here since the end of last month. He wasn't saying he didn't like tour. He loved it. He just wanted to sleep in his own bed with privacy, see his mom, eat her delicious home cooking, and most of all see her.

He missed her more than you could ever imagine. He missed her mother-like touch, her gentle kisses, her perfect smile that gave her cute dimples, her laugh. The way she bit her lip when she was thinking and how she always knew how to make him smile. He could've sworn he heard her velvet voice whispering to him in his bunk at night. He knew he needed to talk to her, to make this right. But how?

In the duration of this tour, Jack had some time to think about what he would do. He thought about what it would be like if he did marry Deanna. The more he thought about it, the more the idea appealed to him. It would make their relationship… more official, as if it would seal the deal. Along with thoughts of marriage came thoughts of kids. He knew he still was not ready for kids, but maybe he might warm up to the idea in a few years.

As Jack noisily rolled his luggage off the bus, backpack slung over her shoulder, his excitement grew to the point where he was jumping up and down, wanting to run inside his parents' house and hug his mother as if there was no tomorrow.

His band mates' heads popped out the bus window. They shouted their goodbyes and disappeared. Jack dashed inside the house, shouting for his mom and dad.

"Jack? You're home!" His mother descended the stairs and smothered her son in hugs and kisses. Most would be embarrassed by this, but Jack wasn't. His mother's hugs always made him feel six years-old again.

"Hey, mom. Is dad home?"

"Right here, son," His father's voice was husky - it was still early in the morning, 7:30. He came down the steps and clapped Jack's back proudly, "How was tour?"

"It was amazing! We made some new friends from Every Avenue and The Maine."

"That's great!" Jack's dad grinned. His son was a rock star, and he really couldn't be any prouder.

Jack looked to his mother, "How is she?" He knew she knew whom he meant.

"Her mother said she's settled into University fine. She hasn't said anything about you," she looked at him sympathetically.

Jack sighed sadly, eyes downcast. He nodded and brought his bags up to his room.

It was the same as it was before he left; random junk on the floor, acoustic guitar resting against the wall, posters covering the walls. It seemed the slightest bit cleaner, his mother must've cleaned.

He dropped his bags near the door - he would unpack later. He jumped onto his bed, his head hitting the pillow. It felt so good to finally be home. He could snore at night without annoying the guys. He could sleep naked if he wanted. Okay, maybe he couldn't due to his parents sleeping in the next room and he would feel uncomfortable, but at least he had the option.

As Jack's eyes moved around the room, they stopped on some pictures of Deanna and Jack. Memories flooded through his mind, playing like a movie. Most of them made him smile, some even made him laugh aloud. Then he remembered that day at the park, making his smile vanish.

An idea slowly started to form inside his head. It seemed like it could work. He swiftly moved off his bed and down the stairs, grabbing his car keys off the living room table, "Mom?" he yelled.

"Are you hungry for some blueberry waffles, Jack?" his mother came in, drying her hands with a dishcloth.

"Maybe later, mom. Where is Deanna staying?" Jack hated turning down his mother's delicious cooking, but he needed to do this, and he had to do it now.

Jack's mother set the dishcloth on the table and looked at her son, "She's in a student house about thirty minutes outside of town, across that big Ford plant, third house down," she smiled at him, "Go get her, son," She had always adored Deanna, thinking of her as more of a daughter-in-law than just her son's girlfriend.

"Thanks, ma," Jack hugged his mom and left the house, to win back his girl.

Jack drove towards his destination, details of his plan going through his brain. It seemed foolproof. He couldn't think of any way it could fail, unless she already had someone else. When he thought this, he frowned. He hated the thought of Deanna with anyone but him.

He parked the car outside a small shop about halfway to where his mother described Deanna was staying. He stepped out of the car, hand in his Glamour Kills hoodie pocket, fiddling with his wallet. Jack walked into the store, the bell above the door ringing as he stepped through it.

A man, dressed in a smart, black suit, standing behind the cash register stepped towards Jack. He was small, and slightly pudgy. He no longer had hair at the top of his head, and the remainder of it was black, a few grey hairs showing. His small, beady eyes followed Jack as he walked around the store, gazing inside the displays, "Can I help you, sir?"

"I'm looking for a ring…"

***

The car pulled up to the curb outside the house. Jack could feel his heart pounding through his chest. Quickly going over everything again, he took a deep breath and exited the car. He slowly walked up the steps and knocked on the door three times, after noticing there wasn't a doorbell. He stood back a bit and looked at the house. It was two stories. It was made of brick, but halfway up, the brick stopped and white plaster began.

The door in front of him opened and there stood a girl, tan skin, with long, dark brown, curly hair. Her mahogany eyes looked at Jack curiously, "Yes?" Jack could hear a hint of a southern accent.

"Uh, I'm looking for Deanna. Deanna Sanders, do you know where I can find her?"

"She went to a party last night and crashed there. You can go find her if you want, five houses that way," she pointed to the left.

"Okay, thanks," Jack turned to walk back to his car.

"Hey, wait!" Jack turned again, "Does your name happen to be… Oh, what did she say it was? Jack?" He nodded, and she grinned, showing off her pearly white teeth, "Are you going to get her back?"

Jack was confused why this girl knew his name and knew why he was here, "Yeah, I'm trying to."

"Well, good luck. And if it works, treat her right, or I'm going to have to shove my foot so far up your ass, you'll feel it in your head, you understand?"

Jack brought his hand up in a saluting manner, "Yes, ma'am. What did you say your name was?"

"I didn't, and it's Shayna, but call me Shay."

"Well Shay, thank you. Jack turned to his car and walked up to it. He waved to Shayna and got in, driving the very short distance down the street. Stepping out of the car once again, feeling more nervous than before, he walked up to the door.

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Groaning, Deanna rolled out of the unfamiliar bed. Thankfully, she was still wearing the clothes from the previous night. Rubbing her throbbing head, she walked down the hall and descended the stairs. She wanted to get home as quickly as possible to take some aspirin; she felt very uncomfortable taking some from the bathroom she had just walked past.

She had reached the front door and had her black flats she had worn in her line of vision when she heard a male's voice beside her say hello. Turning just her head, she saw him and smiled in response.

"How are you feeling? You were pretty smashed last night," the boy laughed, messing up his blonde, shaggy mane.

"Uh, I'm fine, just a really big headache," Deanna picked up her purse that was beside her.

"Well, that's good. I mean that you're fine, not your headache," he chuckled, "You don't remember me, do you?"

"I'm sorry, I don't," she felt bad. This boy - whom she did not remember the name - seemed genuinely nice.

The boy smiled at her, "It's okay, I didn't expect you to remember much of last night. I'm Ryan, I'm the one who carried you from the back porch to the bed upstairs," he stuck out his hand for her to shake, which she politely took.

"Well, it's very nice to properly meet you, but I really must-" before Deanna could finish her sentence, the doorbell rang through the house from behind her, making her jump slightly.

"Could you get back, since you're right there," Ryan pointed behind her.

Deanna obliged, although she soon regretted it, "Ja-Jack?"

The tall, lanky boy looked at her through his eyelashes, "Hi."

"What are you doing here?"

"Can I talk to you?" he looked behind her and saw Ryan, "Alone?"

Deanna gave him a slight nod, and grabbed her flats from the floor beside her. She turned to Ryan and smiled kindly at him, and waved goodbye. Leading Jack outside, she walked towards a conveniently placed park right in front of the house they were just inside. She sat down on a swing and looked at him properly for the first time in months.

He hadn't changed much. The blonde in his hair was gone, and it was all dark brown. He had cut it a bit shorter, and Deanna had to admit, it looked cute on him.

His eyes weren't the same. They didn't hold the life and laughter as they used to. They stared down at her in a sad way. He gave her a smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes, "Hey."

"Hi," she gestured him to sit on the swing beside her, "How was tour?"

"It was fun. It would've been better if you were there."

An uncomfortable silence passed over them for a few minutes. After being apart for so long, they didn't k now what to say.

"Uh, uh, how's school going?" Jack scratched the back of his neck nervously.

"It's going pretty good," Deanna replied with a nod of her head.

Yet another silence. Deanna fiddled with the hem of her shirt. Jack tried desperately to remember his speech he had practiced for what felt like one hundred times on the way there.

Deanna sighed and looked at Jack, "Look, Jack, you wanted to talk, so, talk."

Jack's mouth suddenly became dry. How should he begin? "Well, I, uh," he cleared his throat, "Dee, I really missed you. We all did. Tour was no fun without you to talk us out of getting in trouble," At this, Deanna laughed," And that! I missed your laugh. How I'd wake up to the smell of your freshly baked blueberry and chocolate chip pancakes. I missed how a simple kiss can brighten my day. I love how no matter what I do, you're always there to love and support me. And I hope you know that it's the same with me," Jack gave a small pant as he finished talking. He took the tiny plastic bag out of his pocket and knelt down in front of Deanna. He took the small velvet box out of the bag, never breaking eye contact, "Now, I know this isn't much, but I think you'd really love it."

At this point, a million and one things were running through Deanna's mind. What was about to happen? If it were what she thought it was, what would her answer be? She was still in love with Jack, there was no use denying it. However, they were too young right now. What should she say?

"I love you so much, Dee, and if marriage and kids is really want you want, then I'm open to the idea," Jack could see tears start to form in her eyes, so he started to open the box, revealing its content.

Deanna released a breath she didn't realize she was holding when she saw what it was. It was a silver band, not an engagement ring. She shot Jack a confused look, wanting him to explain.

Jack took the ring out of the box and gently grabbed Deanna's hand, "Deanna, I'm so sorry for the way I reacted that day. If I had known that was what you wanted, I never would've said those things. I know we're still not ready to get married, but this promise ring is to signify that when I do know we're ready, I will propose. And as for the whole kids thing, I think once we get married, it would be awesome to have lots of "mini-me"s running around causing mischief, just like their daddy," Jack sent Deanna a toothy grin, "I really do love you, Dee. I can't imagine my life without you. So, what do you say? Do you forgive me?"

It took Deanna zero point five seconds to make a decision, "Of course I forgive you, Jack-a-roo," Deanna smiled and giggled at Jack as he slid the ring on her left middle finger. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into her for a hug, "I missed you," she whispered into his shoulder.

"I missed you too," he snuggled his head into her neck and took in her raspberry scent.

"Want to come back to my house and meet my roommate?"

Jack laughed, "I kind of already have, but sure."

Deanna let got of the hug and looked at Jack, "When did you meet her?"

"Earlier. That was how I knew you were at that house."

"Oh. Well do you want to come in for some hot chocolate?"

"Okay."

The two got up and walked to Deanna and Shayna's house. When they walked inside, they heard someone walking towards them from upstairs, "Dee, is that you? Did that Jack guy- Oh, hi Jack," Shayna smirked, noticing Deanna and Jack's interlocked hands, "I see you two have made up."

A deep blush found its way onto Deanna's face, but Jack's grin never faltered, "Yeah, we did."

As Deanna made her and Jack some hot chocolate, the two told Shayna about their childhood together. The three of them laughed and smiled, and Deanna's face heated up every time Jack told something embarrassing about her.

Jack couldn't keep his eyes off Deanna. She looked so happy, her eyes lit up whenever she smiled. She was so beautiful. For the first time in a while, Jack felt like his life was complete. He had an amazing career, the best friends, and greatest girlfriend.

The bright sun almost gave off a white glow as it shined over the area of Baltimore, Maryland. Many inhabitants were spending the last day of summer outside, playing basketball, jogging, and other activities. One of the local parks had many visitors. A man stood at a vendor, selling hot dogs to the hungry customers. Families walked around, children played with their dogs.

Within the crowd, there was a boy and a girl. The boy was fairly known amongst teen party-goers; him and his friends in his band played many shows in the area. The girl was lesser known, but people knew her name. She accompanied her friends to their gigs and showed her support, helping to sell merchandise to whoever took an interest in it.

On this lovely day, the two were strolling along in the park, making the most of the last hours they had together; the boy was due to leave for a three-month tour later that night. He was holding a small wicker picnic basket in one hand with a red and white plaid blanket draped over his shoulder. In the other hand was that of the girl, letting whoever took notice know they were a couple. The two exchanged few words, just enjoying the presence of eachother.

They came to an almost abandoned part of the park and decided to stop to eat. The boy laid the blanket on the green grass, gesturing the girl to sit, her obeying. He too sat down and began taking some food and drinks out of the basket.

The girl brought her brown hair into a messy ponytail and picked up a sandwich wrapped in saran wrap. She unwrapped it, letting out a sad sigh, "I can't believe this is our last day together for three months."

"I know. I wish you could come with us. Why don't you? Who cares about school, it's for losers. Come with us. Please, Deanna?" The boy gave her a pout.

Deanna laughed, "I'm sorry, Jack. I have to go to school. How am I supposed to become a lawyer without a degree from law school?"

"But you don't even want to become a lawyer! Screw your parents, they don't know what you want! You should be doing something you want, something you love! Like help selling merch for All Time Low," He ended with a goofy grin.

"I kind of need a paying job, Jack. I need to be able to buy stuff, you know."

"We'll pay you!" Jack exclaimed, "Come on Dee, 10 dollars an hour! With a 2 hour show, that's," Jack paused and attempted to do the simple math in his head, his blonde and brown hair falling in his face, "That's math I can't even do!"

Deanna held in a giggle, "That would be 20 dollars a concert. And I don't want to sell merch for the rest of my life, Jack," She grabbed a juice box and pushed the straw into the hole at the top.

"Well, what do you want to do?"

"I don't know! I just know I don't want to be a lawyer or a merch bitch," Deanna bit her lip to keep from smiling at the last word, "Now let's just drop this subject and eat, okay?" She took a bite out of the sandwich that was still in her hand and took a sip from her juice. They ate in silence for the next ten minutes, both not wanting to start up a fight on their last day together.

A red Frisbee flew by and landed on top of the basket. A young boy - he looked to be about 6 or 7 - ran up, asking for it. Deanna smiled kindly and handed it to him, still smiling at him as he ran off, "I can't wait to get married and have one of those."

Jack, who had been currently chewing on a hot dog, almost choked. He swallowed it and stared at Deanna, a terrified look on his face, "Please tell me by 'one of those' you mean a Frisbee."

Deanna sent him an interested look, "What, don't you want kids?"

"Dee, you're only 19! I'm 20! We're not even legal to drink yet! We shouldn't be thinking about that yet!"

"Well, yeah, I don't want kids right this second, but someday! Come on, you can't tell you me don't want little Jacks running around?"

"Honestly, I don't know. I'm not exactly the Dad type of person, not even a husband! I can't commit myself to one person my entire life! I wouldn't be able to handle the responsibilities, the diaper changing, the constant screaming, the food, everything! And the band's just starting to get popular, I don't want a family tying me down!"

Deanna stood up and crossed her arms, "You've been faithful to me during the eight months we've been together, haven't you?" Jack nodded his head vigorously, "And the diapers and crying are just one part of the baby's life. Once it's all grown up, it can feed itself and change itself!"

Jack sighed, "I love you Deanna, but I just, I don't know."

"So you don't want to get married or have kids, ever? You're not going to change your mind later?"

"Are you going to change your mind?"

"No. Well, Jack, if this relationship just has a dead end, I don't want to be in it." Deanna uncrossed her arms and turned back in the direction they came.

Jack jogged to keep up with her. He stopped in front of her, blocking her pathway, "Wait, Dee, this can't be ending. We can work past this."

"How, Jack? We both want different things," Deanna sighed and gazed into Jack's brown eyes, his staring pleadingly into her hazel ones, "Goodbye, Jack. Have fun on the tour. Now you have nothing holding you back," She gave him a short, gentle kiss, just enough to leave him wanting more. She brushed past him and continued her way home, trying to keep the tears from falling.

Behind her, Jack squeezed his eyes shut, hoping this was just a dream, that the potential love of his life had not just walked away from him, walked away from the relationship. He threw his hands up and yelled, dragging out the lone vowel, "Fuck!"

"Hey Alex, it's me. Call me when you get this, okay? Kay, bye," I pressed the off button on my phone and set it back on its charger. A sigh emitted from me as I sat down on my black leather couch.

 My eyes darted to the calendar hanging on the wall directly across from me.  Today's date was circled in red pen; February 14.  Inside the circle, the words "date with Alex, 6:30" were written. It was now exactly 6:26, and he had promised he would call me at 6:15.

Possible reasons raced through my head, the most dominant one being that he simply forgot. Of course, the typical guy thing. Other options were that he didn't want this relationship anymore; he was scared of commitment maybe. This frightened me. Sure, we have only been together for five and half months, but I really do like this guy.

I started thinking of a way to pass the time. Looking once again at the clock, and seeing it was 6:30, I decided I wouldn't wait any longer. I got up and snatched my winter coat off the rack. I tossed my brown hair into a messy ponytail, headed outside and started my walk to my destination.

Fifteen minutes later, the sight of the small restaurant I was going to came in sight. Its big sign read "Hunan Manor Restaraunt", making me smile. This was my favorite place to eat, and Alex and I had been planning to come here today. Through the window, I could see maybe a dozen couples. I entered, and a girl, who looked to be in her early to mid twenties, greeted me.

"Good evening," she sent me what seemed to me to be a sympathetic smile, "table for one?"

"No, a table for two, please. My friend will be here soon," I hope.

The girl, whom I could see "Carrie" written on her nametag, scanned the area. She looked back to me, "I'm sorry, the only tables available right now are outside. Would that be alright?" When I nodded, she led me outside, and showed me an empty table. I sat down and she handed me a menu that she had in her hands, "Would you like to start off with anything while you wait?"

"No, I'm fine, thanks," I smiled at her thankfully, and she left.

I took my cell phone out of my pocket, absent-mindedly flipping it open and closed. The tables nearby seated a few couples, and some families. The couples were smiling at eachother, clearly enjoying their time. Me, on the other hand, I was sitting alone, on Valentine's Day. I had never been a fan of this day in the past, but this year, it was different. I had someone to share it with.

The sky above me was getting dark, the sun just barely visible through the array of buildings and trees. The time on my phone told me it was nearing 7 o'clock; it was 6:48 to be exact. The roads weren't much busier than they would have been on any other day. Across the street was a cinema, a place Alex and I had been planning to go after our dinner. I saw a few boys heading towards the cinema. One of them looked familiar, and when I noticed his hair, I knew it was Alex, with his three friends. Anger boiled up inside of me. I stood up from my spot, and walked across the street towards them.

The one I knew as Jack noticed me first, "Hey, Rebekah! What's up?"

"Hi, Rebekah!" Zack waved ecstatically at me, almost making me laugh. Rian nodded in acknowledgement in my direction, which I returned.

"Hey, babe," Alex slung his arm around my shoulder, which I shook off. He sent me a face of hurt mixed with confusion, me replying with a simple glare.

Jack seemed to have not noticed my odd behaviour, "Want to join us?"

"Sure, why not. I have no other plans," My glare was still fixed on Alex, who didn't have any clue what was going on.

Zack looked up at the listings above the door, "What do you guys want to see?"

"I'm in the mood for a comedy, what about you guys?" Rian looked at each of us.

We all debated for a couple of minutes, finally deciding on Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins. We walked into the cinema, and bought our tickets. Alex grabbed my hand, which I again took off. I heard him give an aggravated sigh as we bought our popcorn and made our way to the movie room. Of course, we all sat in the top row. I made sure I was not sitting beside Alex. He was in the corner and beside him sat Rian, Zack, and Jack beside me.

The commercials started; the movie wasn't due to start for about ten minutes. Jack and I made fun of every commercial, laughing with eachother. I could hear Zack, Rian and Alex talking amongst them, and I heard my name a few times. Every so often, I saw one of them giving me an inquisitive look. I ignored this, and continued laughing and joking around with Jack.

Once the lights dimmed and the movie started, I paid all attention on it. I was one of those people who if you disturb me while I'm doing something, I would most likely yell at you. This movie was actually funny, unlike some other movies that were classified as comedy.

About halfway through the movie, Alex leaned over in his seat, "Psst," he whispered, just loud enough for me to hear, "Rebekah," He continued doing this for the rest of the movie. It was annoying, but I managed to contain myself from giving in.

By the time the movie was done, my stomach hurt from laughing so much.  We all left the cinema, laughing and reminiscing on our favourite parts. The night wind made my arms shiver, even though I was wearing a winter coat. I noticed Alex moving so he could wrap his arm around me, but I pushed away before he could.

I took out my phone and looked at the time, seeing it was just past 9:30, "I probably should be getting home, guys."

"I'll drive you home," Alex voiced this more as a question then a statement. My legs were too sore from sitting so long to protest. We bid farewell to Jack, Rian, and Zack, and headed to Alex's car, which was just a little bit down the street from us.

Like a gentleman, Alex opened the passenger door for me. I didn't smile or anything, I was still mad at him for forgetting about our date. We headed in the direction of my house, which wasn't far from his own.

Alex sighed, "Are you going to tell me what's wrong with you or can I assume it's just your weird feminine hormones?" He smiled lightly, trying to lighten the mood. It worked, I forced myself to gave him a smile.

"It's... nothing."

"Becks, do you really expect me to believe that? Come on. Did I do something wrong?"

At this time, we had pulled up to my house. I looked out my window to it, seeing it in complete darkness. I opened the door, muttering "Happy Valentine's Day" before getting out, slamming the door shut and running into my house.

Less than five minutes later, a knock was heard on my door. I had just sat down, so I begrudgingly got back up and answered, half expecting it to be Alex. And I was right. I opened the door, seeing him looking at his shoes.

He looked up at me, eyes full of sorrow, "Rebekah, I'm so sorry. I forgot it was Valentine's Day. I even had it written on my hand too! See, look," He brought up his hand to the light to prove it, and there it was, the words "dinner with Rebekah - 6:30" were scrawled in Alex's messy writing.

I sighed, "Alex, today's the last day I get to see you for months, and you forgot? Am I not as important as I thought I'd be to you?" I waited only ten seconds for an answer, which I didn't get, so I started to close the door.

His hand grabbed the doorknob, pushing it so I couldn't close it, "Rebekah, you're one of the most important things in my life right now," I decided I didn't want to hear his corny little lines he had used on me many times before, so I turned my back to him. However, his next three words halted me to the spot, "I love you, Rebekah Faye Turner."

I spun around faster than a bullet to face him, "You- You what?" I needed to make sure what had just come out of my boyfriend's mouth for the first time wasn't my ears playing tricks on me.

"I love you, Rebekah. And I'm a complete idiot for forgetting it was Valentine's Day," He stared at me, his brown eyes searching through mine. His face showed no sign of a lie.

I smiled as I ran into his arms, "I love you too, Alexander William Gaskarth," I whispered into his ear.

"Does this mean you forgive me?"

 I laughed and placed my lips on his, "Yeah. I forgive you."

"Oh my god, I'm finally out of that room!" I smiled as I walked out of the small hospital room. I had been in that bed for a full week. I had stayed an extra three days more than what the doctors said I had to. Apparently, I had some internal bleeding that wouldn't stop. I have never been so happy to get out of a bed in my life.

Jon laughed, "Yeah, you've been cooped up way too long. Listen, I hope there are no hard feelings between us. You know, with me running you over and all..."

Jon had stayed here the whole time. He really is a sweet guy. He always made sure I was comfortable, and that I wasn't starving or getting dehydrated, by getting me food and drinks - it was almost like he was trying to fatten me up to eat, he was getting me so much food. He was funny too. He had this sort of hyperactive personality that could change a depressing atmosphere into a cheerful one.

I grinned up at him, and extended my arms out for a hug, which he gladly accepted, "Yeah, we're fine. You owe me, though," I smirked, looking into his olivine green eyes. He chuckled in response.

Alyson was at work, and the Three Days Grace guys were probably waiting for me in the waiting room downstairs, so we started making our way down there. I stumbled a couple of times, seeing as I haven't been on my feet this much for a week.

As we were walking down the halls toward the elevator, I heard a very familiar high-pitch girl's giggle and I knew it wasn't Alyson, as she was at work, as I said before. I don't have any other girl friends, so I can only guess whom this is...

My assumption was correct, as we came into eyesight of the person responsible for the commotion, leaning against the wall, clearly flirting with one of the male nurses. She was, well, doing everything that people perceive as flirting. From the laughing at his jokes, gently hitting him, everything. It was as if her relationship with Adam was non-existent.

Possible options raced through my head, the most preferable being to go over there and give her a piece of my mind. And that's what I did. I marched on over there. I'm sure I looked like I was out to kill. As much I dont like her and Adam together, I was still pissed off that she could do something like this to him, and in a public place, too.

I could see Jon following me out of the corner of my eye. He reached out to grab my arm to stop me, succeeding, "Ashley, please do not do anything drastic."

I shook my arm out of his grasp, "Well, what am I supposed to do, just watch her do that to Adam? I can't do that, Jon. No matter how much I don't like her, I simply can't do that to him."

Before Jon or I could say or do anything more, the elevator doors from no more than two meters from us opened, and Adam walked out. He saw me and smiled, but when he saw me glaring at Evelyn, his smile turned upside down. His mouth opened to say something, but my face pointed him to Evelyn, who of course had not noticed anything that had happened. It was as if her and the male nurse were the only people in the room.

Adam calmly walked over to them, and wrapped an arm around her waist. The male nurse looked noticeably shocked. He walked away, and Evelyn turned to Adam and kissed him. You know what the heartbreaking thing was, though? Adam kissed back.

In my head, I was screaming at him to stop. You just saw her flirting with him! I guess I looked hurt, as I felt Jon's arms wrap around my sides in a hug. I felt my eyes brim with tears. I had cried more in the last two weeks than I had probably in my whole adult life. I didn't want to couldn't let Jon see me cry, so I quickly wiped them away. Not fast enough, though. Jon saw and tightened his grip on me. I sent a weak grateful smile his way, and walked out of his grip towards the elevator. I pressed the down arrow, and when the door opened, I walked in, Jon not far behind.

Once the elevator stopped at the bottom floor and opened, I rushed over to the door, barely noticing Barry, Brad and Neil sitting down. I ignored all of their calls as I ran outside and sat down at a bench nearby. A light March frost covered the grass of the park across the street, making the air feel cold. I was wearing just a pair of black skinny jeans and a black t-shirt saying 'I Love Hope Something Eats You'. I shivered as I felt someone sit down beside me and wrap a sweater around me. I glanced next to me and smiled yet another grateful smile at Jon. I pulled the sweater tighter around myself as I set my head on his shoulder.

"Why are you so worked up about this, Ash?" he whispered to me.

I sighed, "Adam and I have a," I searched for the right word to use, "past. I guess I'm not totally over it," There. I sort of half-admitted it.

"Do you want to talk about it? You don't have to if you don't want to..."

I lifted my head and looked at him to see an encouraging smile. It would be nice to tell someone about it. I mean, Alyson knew, but her reaction was, 'Oh my god, you used to date Adam Gontier? '. Not exactly the reaction I wanted. I knew Jon wouldn't be like that. I felt like I could tell him anything, even if we had only known eachother for a week, "Can we go somewhere?" I asked quietly.

He looked to his side, where I saw Brad, Barry, Neil, and them walking out of the hospital and started their way over to us, "Hey, guys, were going to head over to the caf that's nearby," He got up from the bench, so did I.

Her voice squealed, "Why don't we all go there? We can all have lunch!"

I grimaced. The last thing I wanted was to hear her voice while I was relaying things to Jon. He sensed what I was feeling, so he quickly averted the situation. He looked over to me, "Do you just want to go to my house, or something? It would be more private anyways," I nodded, "Uh, well we're actually probably just going to go to my house. It's not too far from here. I'll drop her back home when she wants to go home."

Neil, Brad and Barry each gave Jon a suspicious look. The others were too busy examining eachother's mouths with their tongues.

"We'll give you guys a ride, if you want," Brad offered.

"No, it's okay. We'll walk," I said.

They dismissed us by walking onto their bus, Adam and the evil one following, never breaking apart. It made me want to gag myself; it was so disgusting. Jon started walking in the direction that was northeast of us. Jon saw me shiver once more, and held me close to his body while we walked, allowing me to feel his body heat.

He led us through a part of Orlando I had either never been in, or had but didn't remember. It was slightly darker than the rest of Orlando, and looked like the type of place homeless people lived in. There was litter everywhere, and it had a strong stench of alcohol. I had to plug my nose, shut my eyes to stop myself from smelling it, and start crying. To my disappointment, the smell still reached my nose. The memories started to fill me up. I faintly heard Jon's voice calling my name, but I couldn't answer him. Images filled my brain and I couldn't concentrate on walking. Soon, all I heard was screaming in my head, and all I saw was blood everywhere.

"Michael, how much beer did you have? Are you sure you're able to drive?" I asked my brother. The way he was driving made me scared to be in the front seat with him.

He had just come pick me up from Neil's thirteenth birthday party, where he had been at one of his university parties all night. He didn't seem that drunk, but I had hear even having one drink before driving could do damage.

He looked at me through his chocolate brown eyes and smiled, "I'm fine, Apple Pie. Don't you worry your little butt about anything."

At the use of my nickname, I settled down a bit. I sighed and stared out the window, wanting to be at home, sprawled in my bed, possibly to talking to Adam through my window. The night had been full of fun and laughter. Adam and I had sprayed Neil with Silly String as soon as he had opened the door. I smiled to myself as I thought of it. My smile faltered as I looked ahead.

"Michael, watch-" My scream was cut off as the impact of the car hitting a telephone pole forced my head to collide with the car windshield.

***

My weak eyes opened, only to be blinded by the bright white walls. I groaned and turned my head to my right, feeling pain run to my head. I saw Adam sleeping in the chair beside me. I smiled at how cute he was as he quietly snored, a frown on his face.

"Oh, Ashley, you're awake! Thank God!" I heard my mother cry from the doorway in front of me. Before I knew it, she has ran to me and engulfed me in a bone-crushing hug, "I was so worried!" Her voice cracked, signaling she was crying.

"We were all scared," entered my dad. All the commotion had awoken Adam, and I saw him rise up of his chair and stood by the bed.

I laughed, although I regretted it soon after with a headache, "I'm fine, guys," I noticed someone missing and frowned, "Where's Mike?"

I saw everyone give eachother looks, as if having silent fights over who was going to tell me. Mom started crying, and buried herself in my dad's arms. My dad was apparently the one who had lost to Adam, "Honey... Michael's gone."

The word didn't sink in, "Gone? Gone where? He wasn't supposed to go back to his residence for another week. He's supposed to take me to Anna's tomorrow! Call him and make him come back, Mama!" This seemed to have made mom cry harder.

Adam put his hand on mine, "Ash, Michael didn't go back to his residence. He's gone. Gone forever."

There we go; it sunk in, "G-gone? You- You mean, d-dead?" Dad and Adam nodded. Soon, everyone was crying. I had just lost my brother, and I wasn't going to find him in a Lost and Found box like in school.

*Ashleys Point of View - 3 days later*

I woke up to a blinding white light. As my eyes slowly adjusted to the light, I noticed I was in a white room. My brain couldnt think of where I was, so I started freaking out. I quickly sat up - maybe a little too quickly, as I got a head rush - and screamed. At that, I felt 2 pairs of arms grab my arm and gently push me to a lying position. I saw that the arms belonged to Neil and Brad. I looked around the room, seeing Barry leave the room. To do what, I have no idea. Adam was sitting in a chair, and she was sitting on his lap. Neil and Brad were still standing beside the bed I was on, holding onto my arms. Alyssa was just sitting down, hardly paying attention to what was happening.

"Where am I?" I asked.

"You're in the hospital. You got hit by a car, and you haven't woken up since," Adam informed me, concern written all over his face.

"Oh..." a question popped into my mind, "Wait. Don't you guys have to finish your tour?"

"The guys were nice enough to cancel the rest of their shows to stay and make sure you're okay, Ash," Lys answered for them.

"Oh..." It seemed like that was the only thing that I could say.

We all stayed in an awkward silence for a few minutes until Barry came back, followed by a few nurses. The nurses crowded around me, two of them asking me if I was okay. I just nodded and let them do what they needed to do.

The awkward silence continued on past when the nurses left. After maybe forty-five minutes of no conversation, I decided I would stop this, "So... I've been here for..." I waited for someone to finish my sentence.

"Three days," Brad told me, "we were scared you wouldn't... make it."

I smiled, although I wish I hadn't, seeing as a pain shot straight to my jaw, "I wouldn't leave you guys without saying goodbye."

The pain in my head became a little too much, so I closed my eyes to try to ease it. Little conversations started up between Alyssa and Barry, and Brad and Neil. When I opened my eyes again, I saw Evelyn was gone, and when I gave Adam a confused look, he mouthed the word 'bathroom'. I nodded in an 'I-see' kind of way, and looked away. I was scared that if I kept looking at him, those damn butterflies would come. And if that happened, who knows what I would do.

Alyssa brought me out of my thoughts, "Uh, Neil, Brad, Barry and I are going to, uh, go... go get something to eat! Yeah, that's what we'll do!" And with that, she grabbed Neil and Barry's arms, and walked out of the room, Brad not too far behind.

Now it was just me and him. Oh boy, I was going to kill Lys when I get the chance. I haven't been alone with Adam in about eight years. I felt him staring at me, so I looked over at him, and that familiar funny feeling came crawling into my stomach. The one that made me want to just crawl into his arms, and forgive him for everything he's put me through. Oh crap, I thought. Not again.

Adam took a deep breath, and started talking, "I've missed you," just hearing his voice made that feeling grow stronger.

Okay, what should I say? Act all tough and say something along the lines of 'Well you deserved it', or do the exact opposite and say that I've missed him too. Say that I've dreamt about him every night. Right now, I really wanted to say the latter, but that would sound weird, seeing as he had a girlfriend. So, me being me, I went for the first choice, "Uh... Well... You deserved it!" And the winner of the Worst Actress Ever is... Ashley Scott! That right there is the reason why I did not pass Grade 12 Drama.

Another deep breath taken by Adam, "Look, I know what I did was wrong, but I'm really sorry. I know we can't... be together," alright, there goes my flicker of hope, "but can't we at least be friends?"

"I- I don't know Adam. I mean... for one, I don't think... Evelyn would be very accepting of that," at the sound of her name, I thought I saw a small sign of guilt in his face, "and two... I just don't think it would work out."

"Why not? It worked before we even started dating."

"That was different, Adam. I didnt have anything against you then."

He got up from his seat and walked up to the left side. He hesitated for a second, and then put his hand in mine. I looked down at them, and inwardly smiled. I hadn't held his hand in what felt centuries.

When I looked back up at Adam, his eyes were locked on mine. It felt as if he was looking into my soul. A question that I had for quite a long time popped into my head, "Who was she?" All I got was a look of confusion, "Who was she? The one you... did... before?" Once I said that, guilt immediately took over him. He hung in head in shame. I'm not totally sure why, but I think I got an answer to my question already.

"Do you really want to know?"

"Was it-" before I could finish my sentence, the one I was about to say bounded into the room, straight into Adam's arms.

"Hey, Honey! Sorry I took so long," She kissed his nose, making a wave of jealousy rush through my body. But what made me feel the slightest bit happier was that he didn't look happy. He just sort of sent her a smile and continued looking at me.

This seemed to have made her mad. She started practically feeling him up right in front me. You can just imagine what was going through my mind at that moment. I wanted to rip out her throat, and spread it all over the white hospital walls. She smirked at this, and probably at the fact the Adam was... well, let's just say he was having a good time.

She whispered something in his ear, still smirking, making him look at me. He stared at me for probably two minutes before sighing and nodding. She smiled, grabbed his hand, and dragged him out of the room. Right before they were out the door, Adam looked back at me. His face was emotionless. And with that, they were gone. I did not want to think of what they would be doing, although I have a very clear idea.

The doctors had said I had to stay one more night, so they could keep an eye on me, and do some tests to make sure there's no more internal bleeding, or something like that. Alyssa and everyone else came back, stayed for a few more hours, and left when the visiting hours were up. Adam and her left without saying goodbye. I guess that tells me how much he 'cares' about me, eh?

Adam's Point Of View

"Dude, that hot girl was all over you, Adam!" Barry told me as we walked away from the meet-and-greet that we had just finished.

I was barely paying attention. My mind was all over the place. First, it would go to Ashley, then Evey, then Ashley, the concert, and back to Evelyn. Whenever I thought of Ashley, I would think of all our good times together in the past, and when I thought of that, I couldn't help but smile.

"What are you smiling about?" Evey asked.

"Thinking of you," I covered quickly.

She smiled and kissed me, "Awe, you're so sweet."

I sighed in relief. I heard someone behind me shout Ashley's name, a loud shriek, and tires screeching from in front. I turned in the direction of the shriek and there was a building crowd. The guys and I exchanged a glance and hurried over there, Evelyn following suit.

A car was parked in a diagonal, and there was a boy standing over a girl lying down. Oh my gosh, is that Ashley?! As I got a closer look, I saw that it was.

"Ashley!" I kneeled down beside her and checked her pulse. It was there, but it was faint, "Someone call 911!"

Neil brought his cell phone out of his pocket and started talking to the 911 operator person. The guy who had been standing over Ashley kneeled down beside me.

"I am so sorry! I don't know how this happened!" he was talking so fast, I could hardly understand him.

I ignored him as I waited impatiently for the damn ambulance to come. Why are they taking so long! Don't they know we could lose her?!

The ambulance finally came. The paramedics told us that only one person could go with them in the ambulance. At that, everybody looked at me.

"What? Why me?"

"Just get in the darn van!" Brad pushed me into the ambulance.

"Can I go?" we heard someone say quietly. Everyone turned around and looked at the boy, who we still have not learned the name of, "The least I could do is to see what happens."

Everyone glanced at eachother, as if having a silent conversation with eachother, "Okay," Barry said. Everyone else got into the bus, and the bus sped off after the ambulance.

The whole ride there, I couldn't stop thinking of Ashley. I hoped she was alright. If something bad happened to her, I don't know if I could ever forgive myself for it. I still haven't forgiven myself for what I did all those years ago.

"Who was she?" Evey asked me, though I knew she knew exactly who Ashley was.

"Uh, just someone I, uh, know."

"Oh, she's more than just that, Adam," Neil said, earning himself a warning glare for me, "She was his ex-girlfriend!"

"Oh, really?" A fake frown came upon her face, "What happened between you two?"

"It's um, a long story, Evey. I'll tell you some other time."

"Tell me now," she pouted. I hate that face. It always works!

"Alright... it all happened during our last year of high school..."

***

"Hey, Adam!"

I smiled as I heard my girlfriend's voice greet me through the window. I walked over from my desk and opened the window, "Hey! Guess what?!"

"Your band got signed?" she replied, jokingly.

"Yeah!"

It was funny, seeing her jaw drop. I let out a laugh as she screamed softly (hah, kind of an oxymoron, there) in excitement, "Really?"

"Yeah! I just got a letter from Zomba Records! We got in!"

"Oh my god, honey, that's awesome!" her smile faltered into a face of sadness.

"What's wrong?" I asked her, concerned.

"You getting signed means you have to go on tour..." she mumbled.

"Oh, Ashley. I'll call you everyday."

"Promise?" she asked in a baby voice.

"I promise."

"What if you find a girl that's prettier than me, or... or... better than me?"

"Ashley, no one is better than you. Or prettier than you..."

------

"Adam!"

I turned my head to face Brad. We were on tour, and had been for a year. We were on our way to some stadium in some city in California.

"Ashley's on the phone! She doesn't sound very happy. What did you do?"

"Nothing!" I lied. I had done something, and I regretted it so much. I grabbed the phone off Brad, "Hey, baby. What's up?"

"Don't call me baby! You don't deserve to call me that! You lying, cheating... Ugh! I hate you!" Ashley yelled so loud I had to hold the phone arms length away from my ear.

"What are you talking about? I didn't do anything!"

"Don't play games with me, Adam! Neil told me! He told me about that girl you brought home from the concert two nights ago! I hate you! It's over between us, Adam! Don't talk to me!"

"But Ashley, I can ex-" before I could finish my sentence, she hung up on me. I held the phone in my hands and stared at it. I clenched my fist and threw the phone down on the ground, causing it to break.

Neil and Brad ran into the room, "What happened?" They both asked simultaneously.

"It's over..." I muttered that over and over, getting louder and louder each time. I yelled and started trashing the bus. I grabbed an empty glass off the counter and smashed it into the wall. Brad came over to me and tried to comfort me. Neil just stood there. He knew what this was all about.

"I'll be right back," Neil walked to his bunk and grabbed his cell, punched in a number and started talking to whoever was on the other line.

***

"I'll take over from here," Neil interjected.

Neil's Point Of View from 7/8 years ago

***

I entered Ashley's phone number into my cell and waited for her to answer.

"I thought I told you not to call!" was what I was greeted with.

"Calm down, Ash, it's me, Neil."

"Oh... Hi... Listen, Neil, I really don't want to talk to anybody right now, so-"

"Ok, ok. I just wanted to see how you were. Look, I'm sorry I told you... what I told you, but I just thought you had to know."

"Well, thanks. I'm glad someone cares about my feelings. I... I have to go, Neil."

"Alright. I'll talk to you later?"

"Yeah..."

***

"Wow... Adam, how could you do something like that?" Evelyn asked me, although she was smiling.

"Never mind. Come on, we're at the hospital." Neil saved me from answering as we came to a stop. I sent him a grateful smile as we walked off the bus and into the hospital.

We walked up to the receptionist and asked her what room Ashley was in. She told us she was in room 257, which was on the third floor. When we got up to the room, we saw her lying down in the bed, the boy sitting in the chair beside her.

He noticed us come in and smiled, "Hey. The doctors said she'll be out for a while."

I sighed and sat in another chair beside her, "Uh, so what's your name?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. My name's Jon. I work in a bar in the area and I heard about your concert and I knew I couldn't miss it. I'm a really big fan. I know this isn't really the best time, but, can I uh, have your autographs?" He looked at us timidly.

We all signed his poster he just happened to have in his pocket. He smiled gratefully and stuffed it back in his pocket.

A nurse, whose name was apparently Kelly, entered the room, and she looked surprised to see so many people in there, "Only 3 visitors in the room at a time, please. Visiting hours is over in half an hour," and with that, she left.

We all stayed in silence. I stared into space. Neil... I don't know what he was doing, and I don't think I want to know. Heh. Barry stared into space with me, Brad was playing with his cell phone, Evelyn sat in my lap, playing with my hand, and Jon sat there, staring at Ashley. I felt like yelling for him to stop staring at my girlfriend, but one, she's not my girlfriend anymore, and two, I'm not that stupid to yell that with my girlfriend sitting right here.

Yeah, we did that for the full half hour. Ashley never woke up. When the nurse came in to tell us visiting hours were over, we exchanged numbers with Jon, because he apparently wanted to find out what happens to Ash.

We all headed back to the bus, which would take us to a hotel where we would spend the night. We got to the hotel, and booked in. Coincidently, Evey and I had a room to ourselves.

As soon as we entered the room, Evelyn pushed me against the wall and started kissing me. We moved over to the bed, never breaking contact. I got on top of her.

"Make love to me, Adam," she whispered in my ear, "Make love to me the way you did eight years ago..."

I was squatted down outside, with my back against the stadium, my body shaking as tears fell down my cheeks onto the pavement. I had told Lys and the guys that I was going to the washroom while they were in the dressing room, talking. I had run out here and have been crying for about ten minutes.

I was so stupid to think that maybe, Adam hadn't moved on, just like me. Maybe, just maybe, we could've had what we had before.

But, of course, that wouldn't happen. Why was I thinking that anyway? I shook my head, as if that would shake away any remainder of the thought of Adam and I together again. Why would I want Adam back?

Because you still love him.

Shut up brain. I don't still love Adam Gontier.

Oh really? If you didn't then how come you dream about him every night?

Didn't I tell you to shut up? Ugh.

Before my brain had a chance to say- well, think anything, I sensed someone beside me. I looked to see who it was and it was Brad. He didn't even have to say anything. He just wrapped me in his arms and let me get his shirt soaked with my tears. When I was done crying, we pulled away from eachother.

"Are you going to be okay?" He asked me in a sweet voice.

I gave him a weak smile, "Yeah. I'll be just fine."

"You sure?"

"Yeah..."

He sighed and got up, "Alright... I have to go. Band stuff," He took out a piece of paper and a pen from his pocket and wrote down two numbers, labeling one Neil and one Brad, "If you ever want to talk."

I smiled as I took the paper and stored it in my purse I had brought along, "Thanks, Brad."

Before I knew it, he had engulfed me in a big hug, "We missed you, Ashy."

I laughed and pulled away. I looked at him, one eyebrow raised, "Ashy?"

He shrugged and laughed. He looked me in my eyes, "We really missed you, Ashley. A lot. Especially Adam."

My smile faltered, "Yeah right," I mumbled, looking down at my Converse All-Stars.

Brad lifted my chin with his index finger and thumb, "Hey... He did. The first few years he wouldn't even look at another girl. He said he was too scared it would make him think of you too much."

"Well, that didnt last long... How did he meet her?"

"Um, well..." He started scratching his neck, a gesture I knew meant he was nervous, "That's not important. All that's important is that he missed you. You really hurt him when you left, Ash."

I sighed, "Yeah, well he hurt me. He deserves it... Well, you better get going."

"Yeah. Call me later, okay?"

"I'll try."

We both exchanged a hug before Brad turned around and started jogging back to the entrance of the stadium. As he was going to open the door, he turned to face me, and said (I couldnt hear him, but I was a very talented lipreader), "I'm so glad we saw eachother today," and he was gone.

I stood there for a few moments, a smile peeking onto my face. I had gotten my wish. I had seen them again. I might have been hurt from seeing Adam and Evelyn together, but-

Might have been hurt?

Ugh, do you ever shut up, brain?! Okay, fine. I was hurt. But I'm not about to tell anyone that, am I? Anyways, where was I? Oh yes. I was hurt, but I can get over that, can't I?

I was brought out of my thoughts by a high pitch voice screaming my name. I looked around to see where it was coming from and all I saw was blinding white lights coming closer to me, and everything went blank...

SHIT! It was 6:15pm and Alyssa was coming over to pick me up for the concert in fifteen minutes! I grabbed:

and some loose fitting pants. I ran to the washroom and had a ten minute shower. I spent the next five minutes trying to figure out whose concert this would be, other than Three Days Grace. By the time Lys' car rolled into the driveway, I still had no clue. So I headed out to her car.

"Hey, Ash!" Alyssa greeted me as I stepped into her car. She was wearing this:

and some ripped jeans. She was sporting some accessories too. She had

and some earrings that she must have chosen randomly, because they didn't match.

"Hey. Uh, Lys?" I tried to stifle a giggle.

"Yes, my lovely friend?"

"Your earrings aren't matching," I finally couldn't hold in my laughter and I burst out into a fit of giggles, even though it wasn't even that funny.

Alyssa looked in the mirror that was on the sun blocker and she smiled as she noticed I was right, "Well, we'll just have to make a quick trip to my house so I can fix that, won't we?"

We did just that and Alyssa came out of her house with a pair of two matching skull earrings. As we neared the stadium, I began seeing posters advertising the concert. And I'll give you three guesses on who was on it. If you get it first guess, I'll give you a free ticket to the concert.

Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner! Wow, how did you guess Three Days Grace so easily?!

I stared at Lys with a look of pure horror. Right now, I really wanted to open the driver door somehow and throw her out.

She looked at me, with a hint of sympathy in her face, "Listen, Ash, I know you don't want to see them right now, but you need to sort this thing out! Eight years is long enough!"

"But... but... bu-"

"You are going to sort everything out. Maybe not all of it tonight, but at least a little bit. No if, and, or buts about it, Ashley."

I sighed. I knew there was no getting through to her. I slumped down my seat as far the seatbelt would let me. I wanted to shrivel up into a pile of dust. At least then I wouldn't have to deal with this whole thing.

"Do I have to?" I whined at Alyssa as we pulled up to the stadium.

She just gave me stern look, took the keys out of the ignition, and got out of the car. When I didn't follow, she walked over to my door and opened it.

"Get out of the god damn car, Ash."

"What if I don't want to?" I replied in a tone that was pretty damn identical to one of a five year-old whose mom wouldn't buy her the new popular Barbie that all her friends had.

Lys unbuckled my seatbelt, picked me up and set me down on the cement, before closing and locking the car door, "That's what."

She pulled out two backstage passes from her pocket and handed one to me, totally ignoring my gaping. She started walking towards the entrance and I hurried to keep up with her.

"Where the hell did you get these?" I asked her.

"Connections," she simply stated.

Before I could reply she dragged me towards the door to backstage. We reached a big door with two big security guards standing in front of it. When they noticed us coming toward them, one of them turned to the other and nodded. They both inspected our passes to make sure they were real and let us through. By then, I was scared out of my mind. Would they remember me? What would Adam say? One of the guards led us to a big sky blue door that had a sign showing us that this was their dressing room. He opened the door and told the guys that they had visitors. Alyssa walked in without any sign of hesitation. I, on the other hand, stayed rooted to the spot.

Lys gave me a reassuring look and motioned me inside. I cautiously stepped inside, and I immediately felt every eye on me.

"Hi," I squeaked out.

"Ashley?" the one I recognized as Neil asked.

I nodded and I felt two pairs of arms that belonged to Neil and Brad wrap around me in a bone-crushing hug. We hugged for at least five full minutes before pulling away.

I introduced Alyssa while they introduced Barry Stock, their new guitarist. I looked around confused as I finally noticed that Adam was missing. I was about to open my mouth to ask, when he stepped out from the washroom.

"Guys, there's no soap in there, so-" He stopped mid sentence as he noticed Alyssa and I, "Um, who- who are you?"

"You don't remember her, Adam? It's Ashley!" Brad smiled and pushed me towards Adam.

"A- Ash- Ashley?" Adam stuttered out.

"Hi..."

"What are you doing here?"

"Alyssa dragged me here."

"Who's Alyssa?"

"That would be me. Hi, I'm Alyssa, or Lys, or Aly. I've heard many things about you," Lys smirked at me, which made me want to shrivel up again.

"Have you, now? Well that's nice. Come on, guys, we have to go do the show."

The four headed out on stage and started playing. Lys and I watched from the side, but my mind was everywhere but there.

When the show ended, they walked off. They were really sweaty. Aly and I told them they were great.

All of a sudden, a girl with medium, straight, blonde hair ran up to Adam, jumped in his arms and kissed him. As I watched, I literally felt my heart snap in two.

When they pulled away, Adam looked at us, "This is Evelyn, or Evey as everyone calls her. She's my girlfriend," he looked me straight in my eyes as he said 'girlfriend' and I felt my spine shiver.

I woke up the next day to the 'soothing' sound of my alarm, that I had set the previous night to 7:15. I stepped out of bed, only to fall right on my ass. I looked to see why I had fallen and saw I had slipped on a picture. There was a big footprint on it, but I fixed it with a damp paper towel.

The picture was of my mom. She had died last year from lung cancer. Yeah, my mom smoked. I always told her to stop, but her reply? 'Smoking is my escape, honey'. Pfft. Escape to death, mom.

The tears that had started to form in my eyes caught me by surprise. I quickly wiped them away and put the picture inside its frame. I walked over to my drawer and grabbed a random white bra and underwear. I walked over to my closet and grabbed jeans, this

and

.

I hopped into the shower, and if you don't know what I did in there, you must have really bad hygiene. I stepped out, dried myself off, towel dried my hair, and changed into what I had chosen. I noticed I had half an hour until my shift officially started, so I decided to take my time and have breakfast for once, since I never have enough time in the morning.

I grabbed a bowl out of the dishwasher and poured some Cinnamon Toast Crunch into it. I then poured in milk and I dipped my spoon into it. I could taste the cinnamon-y taste and believe me, it was good.

I flipped on the TV and the sound of "But It's Better If You Do" by Panic! At The Disco filled my ears and the video entered my sight. I found myself humming along as I finished off my cereal and put it back in the sink for later. I glanced at the clock. 8:17. I had about 15 minutes before I had to be in, so I decided to check my email and see who's on AIM. I logged on and immediately a conversation window came up. It was my best friend Alyssa.

emosarecool58: Hey :)
IHaveIssues35: Hey!
IHaveIssues35: What's up?
emosarecool58: What are you doing on Friday?
IHaveIssues35: Um...
emosarecool58: Good
emosarecool58: You're coming to a concert with me :)
IHaveIssues35: Whose is it?

Aly knows about my past with Three Days Grace. Their concert is on Friday. She wouldn't make me go to their concert, would she?

emosarecool58: You'll see :)
IHaveIssues35: Lys, this is the Three Days Grace concert, isn't it?
emosarecool58: I said you'll see!
IHaveIssues35: *sigh* Alright, I trust you...
IHaveIssues35: Well I have to go. I just came on to see who's on
emosarecool58: Alright, I'll see you at work
emosarecool58: Have fun opening! Haha
IHaveIssues35 has signed off.

I glared at the screen. It's every employee at "Jazelle's", the hair salon I work at, nightmare when they have to open. For some reason, people like to get haircuts in the morning. Don't ask me why. It gets very busy then.

I logged off and grabbed my keys for my Honda Civic. I grabbed my bag and headed out the door, locking it.

The ride to he- I mean work was silent, other than the soft sounds of the radio, playing the latest hit from Jessica Simpson. I pulled up to the employee parking lot and sighed. This is going to be a long day...

***

"Aly, I'm going now!" I informed my best friend. I was her ride home and unless she stopped flirting with the 'cute' customer, I swear I will leave without her.

"Alright, alright. I'm coming. Don't get your panties in a bunch!" Alyssa bustled over with her belongings, a small piece of paper in her hand.

I smirked at her, "That his number?" I motioned at the paper.

She smiled innocently at me, "Maybe..."

I shook my head at her. Typical Alyssa. She's always coming home with numbers. She never gets around to calling them, which always makes me feel bad for them.

We both climbed into my car and I drove towards her house. She only lived a few houses down from mine.

"So, are you excited about Friday?" she looked over at me, a mischevious glint in her eye.

"Uh, sure..." I'm not all that sure if I should go now... "What are you planning, Lys?"

"Nothing!" She was obviously lying, as she wasn't looking me in my eye. I knew not to press it, so I didn't.

The car pulled up in front of Alyssa's house. Alyssa stepped out and leaned on the door and talked through the open window, "Since we both have the day off tomorrow, want to go catch a movie?"

"Sure, that'd be fun. I haven't been to the theatres in forever!"

She laughed, "Okay. Call me whenever. Or IM me."

"Alright. Bye Lys!"

"Bye!" She shouted over her shoulder as she walked through her front door.

I drove down a few houses and parked in my driveway. I walked in the front door. I didn't notice how tired I was until I sat down on the couch and drifted off to sleep.

"A band that is rising up the charts with their single "Animal I Have Become" are coming to town for possibly the biggest concert of their North American tour. That's right Three Days Grace are coming-" the MTV VJ was cut off as I shut off the TV.

I sighed. It seems that ever since Three Days Grace has become famous, their faces were everywhere, and I mean everywhere. It's like they want me to miss them. Well, that seems to have worked.

As much as I didn't want to, I missed my highschool buddies. While we were still friends (I cringed as I thought were still friends), we were inseparable, especially Adam and I. Him and I go way back. His parents were best friends with mine when they were little, so naturally so were we. I could always count on Adam to cheer me up when my parents were fighting, which while I was thirteen or fourteen, was at its worst. Once I heard the sound of skin on skin, probably my dad hitting my mom, I'd crawl out my window and across the mini bridge-like structure connecting his room and mine. I'd crawl right into his arms and cry myself to sleep, feeling safe.

When we entered highschool, my feelings for Adam became more than brotherly, if you know what I mean. If you don't, then you are one stupid kid. I started noticing this when he was teaching me how to play guitar...

"Alright, now put your pointer finger on this string," Adam moved my finger to the correct string, but it made my other fingers move off the ones they were on. I giggled as Adam sighed, but he was smiling, "You're so hopeless, Ash."

I was sitting in his lap in his room. Adam's arms were wrapped around me to get to the guitar. Every so often his skin would touch mine ever so slightly and it made my stomach churn. Why am I feeling like this? I thought. I've never felt like this before.

Adam must've noticed my stiffness, "Something wrong, Ash?"

I gave him my best fake-smile I could and replied, "I'm fine. Just thinkin' "

"Thinking about what?"

I was saved from answering by Adam's mom calling us for dinner. I slipped off his lap and followed him downstairs, and I couldn't help but stare at his rear end before looking away and blushing when he turned to look me and smirked. Shit, he caught me! How embarrassing!

***

All the while I was reminiscing that moment, I cooked myself some Kraft Dinner. I smirked at myself for never learning how to cook anything else. Damn, I wish I paid attention in Home Ec class.

Once I had finished eating, I decided to get ready for bed, since it was getting late and I had the 'wonderful' job of opening tomorrow. I rolled my eyes as I slipped into my favorite night clothes:

and

.

As I layed down on my bed, my hand almost instinctively reached for my photo album that Neil and Brad had both given to me right before I moved sitting on my beside dresser, as I always did every night. I smiled as I felt the soft material of the handmade cover. I brought it onto my lap and ran my fingers over every single detail of it, from it's title saying 'We'll Miss You, Ash!' to the small random cut-out pictures of my favourite things, eyes (I have big fascination with close up pictures of eyes), and music notes, since music is what helps me get through my day. In the center was a picture that I will never forget when it was taken.

In the picture we, Adam, Neil and I, were sitting on the beach. Adam's arms were wrapped around my waist protectively, his chin resting on my shoulder. We were both smiling happily into the camera. We were both oblivious - well, at least I was- to what was going to happen just one month after that. Neil was just sort of sitting there, a little awkwardly, but still smiling. I frowned as I remembered that his girlfriend had broken up with him the day before. Brad was taking the picture. I still remember him insisting to take the picture, no matter how unphotogenic I am. Apparently, Adam and I looked 'so cute together it made him want to throw up', as he said it.

No matter how much I deny it, I know it was true. Adam and I were a cute couple. Even the whole school thought so. When we broke up, the whole school was shocked and devastated. Even the teachers. No couple that had ever attended that school had lasted as long as we did. And we lasted a while. Four whole years. Four happy, loving years. Until the end.

I frowned as I remembered what Adam did. I shook my head and tried to forget that as I opened up the album and was bombarded with memories as my eyes moved over every picture, remembering exactly when and where every picture that I was in was taken.

There were a few of when they had band practice, Neil on drums, Adam standing at the microphone, guitar at hand, belting out a song they had just written, and Brad on bass. The other pictures were of random moments of fun and laughter. I laughed out loud as I looked at a picture of me pushing Adam into the pool with all of his clothes on. Heh, he didn't kiss me for the whole day after that.

As I started to close the album, I noticed something scribbled on the inside back cover above a picture that I hadn't noticed before. It was so messy I could hardly read it. I recognized the penmanship as Adam's. I tried to stop myself from reading it, knowing I would regret it somehow. But, of course, I couldn't.

Hey Ash,
I know you hate me right now, but I really needed to tell you. I'm really sorry for what I did. I can't even start to explain how sorry I am. It was all a huge mistake. I know none of this is going to convince you to forgive me, but I just had to let you know and you've been avoiding me, so I couldn't say this in person.

I'm going to miss you so god damn much. You have no idea how much this is hurting me, and it hurts even more knowing it was me that made you want to leave. I hope that someday we'll find eachother and you could maybe forgive me and we could be as happy as we were, but I know that won't happen. At least not the 'you forgiving me' part.

Well I've got to go now. Neil and Brad are bugging me to get this done so they could take one last picture and stick it in this thing. Again, I'm so sorry and I love you so fucking much.

We'll all miss you,

Love,
Adam

Underneath, there was a note from Brad and Neil each, saying their 'We'll miss you's and stuff. Underneath that was a picture of Neil, Brad and Adam, standing there, holding up the photo album. Neil and Brad looked like they were trying so hard not to cry. Adam wasn't even trying. He just let those tears fall. He looked like he hadn't slept for a while.

At that point, I had started to cry. Tears slowly fell down my cheeks onto the page, slightly blurring out some words. Once I finished, I full out started bawling. I tried to control my sobbing by telling myself that I was over him, but to my disappointment, it didn't work. My mind thought I was, but my heart wouldn't hear it.

Once I had calmed myself down, which seemed like forever, but was only an hour, I turned on my stereo softly. I put it on repeat, so that once it was done playing the CD, which happened to be The Used, it would play again. The house was quiet, save the sound of an occasional sniffle from me, and the CD playing. I finally fell asleep to the sound of Bert singing the words of "Cut Up Angels".

The Main Character

Name: Ashley Samantha Scott
A.K.A: Ash
Age: 26
Currently Lives: Orlando, Florida, USA
Occupation: Hair stylist
Personality: Slightly introverted. Would die for her friends. Can get very emotional.
Style: Hates labels, but if she had to pick, she would choose 'punk-rocker'.
Other: Something happened when she was 10 that made her vow to herself she would never drink alcohol.

Ashley used to be best friends with Adam, Brad and Neil in highschool. Heck, Adam and her were a couple for their full four years of highschool. They were so happy together. They were inseparable. But when Adam does something that Ashley... doesn't approve of, she moves away, because she couldn't take living next to him. She's told herself countless times she's over him, but when he mysteriously comes back into her life, she's not so sure anymore...

The Best Friend

Name: Alyssa Michelle Young
A.K.A: Lys (Liss), Aly (Alley)
Age: 27
Currently Lives: Orlando, Florida, USA
Occupation: Hair stylist (works at the same place as Ash)
Personality: Outgoing. Extroverted. Speaks her mind. Caring. Smart. Loving.
Style: Also hates labels, but if she had to choose, she would pick... everything. One day she could be 'prep', one day 'punk-rocker'.

You'll Find Out Who They Are Later

Name: Jon Spellen
A.K.A: Jonny-boy
Age: 27
Currently Lives: Orlando, Florida, USA
Occupation: Bartender
Personality: Weirdo. Hyper. Attention-seeker. Easily gets bored. ADDish.
Style: 'Skater'

Name: Evelyn Leslie Parker
A.K.A: Evey (Ee-vee)
Age: 26
Currently Lives: Norwood, Ontario, Canada, sometimes goes on tour with Three Days Grace
Occupation: part-time at a coffee shop
Personality: Around Adam/Three Days Grace: Nice. Gentle. Caring. Clingy onto Adam. Not around Adam/Three Days Grace: Snooty. Heartless. Controlling. Flirts with other guys. Only cares about herself.