Hopelessness:

Unable to improve

Or be helped

Or be cured…

…Feeling no hope

Nothing was the same since Mr. Moseby died. Ilsa worked everyone to the bone, and everyone was afraid they were going to lose their jobs.

Esteban was exhausted and relived that Jeremiah had come early to take over his shift. Esteban was about to enter the staff lounge for some much needed rest when, all of a sudden; he heard a strange noise that made him freeze in his tracks. Quietly, he took his hand off of the doorknob, and pressed his ear against the door.

Sobbing… quiet- yet distraught- sobbing. It tore at his heartstrings. Ever so quietly, he opened the door a crack and looked to see inside. The sight made his heart wretch. His best friend was sitting on the couch in the dark lounge, nose red, face blotchy, and eyes swollen with tears.

For a minute he just stood in the doorway, staring at her. She never cried. He knew that she had been through just about everything, but she never cried. She was always able to hold back the tears, and hold on to her happiness.

Just then she turned and saw him silhouetted against the light that seeped into the dark room from behind him. She hiccupped slightly in surprise, then buried her face into her hands and burst into another storm of tears.

Esteban crossed the room and sat cautiously down on the edge of the couch. His voice came out husky and unsure as he asked her what was wrong.

A flood of tears was all that answered him. Esteban watched her. She was sitting all alone, sobbing into one hand, with her other arm wrapped around her waist. Her entire frame was shaking with the torrent of tears and the sobs she was trying to suppress. She looked so alone.

Esteban felt the corners of his own eyes burn and his throat felt raw. Slowly he edged closer to her, and put his arm around her shoulders.

You're not alone

Together we stand

I'll be by your side

You know I'll take you hand

Willing his voice not to break he asked her again what was wrong. He felt her tremble and lean closer to him. He could barely understand what she said through the many breaks and outburst of tears, but in the end he got it.

She had just lost her job.

And her parents were getting divorced.

When it gets cold

And it feels like the end

There's no place to go

You know I won't give in

Esteban wrapped both arms around her and let her bury her face into his shoulder.

No I won't give in.

She cried as she explained all that had happened to her and her siblings in the last few months. She showed him the marks. She hated her parents. No she loved her parents. That's why divorce hurt more than the marks did.

Keep holding on

Cause you know we'll make it through

We'll make it through

Just stay strong

Cause you know I'm here for you

I'm here for you

Why didn't they love her? Why did they hurt her? What did she do wrong?

Nothing. Tears coursed down Esteban's cheeks as he hugged her tightly. You did nothing wrong.

She didn't know what to do. She had just lost her job. Even though Ilsa had made things miserable, she needed the Tipton. She didn't know what she would do without her friends. Why did she mess everything up? She couldn't even keep her job. Why did she lose everything important to her? How come nothing good ever happened to her?

Esteban brushed away his own tears and looked down into her eyes. It wasn't her fault.

There's nothing you can say

Nothing you can do

There's no other way when it comes to the truth

So, keep holding on

Cause you know we'll make it through…

"Candy girl!' Ilsa barked. Esteban let go of Maddie, and turned to the now wide open door. Ilsa was standing next to Gretel who was holding a box full of Maddie's things. Gretel was now the new candy counter 'girl'. "Why are you still here?' Ilsa asked coldly. 'This lounge is only for the use of the hotel employees."

Gretel lumbered over and dumped the box of Maddie's things between Maddie and Esteban, glaring at the two of them.

Maddie jumped off the couch, yanked up her box of belongings, and glared, wild-eyed at Ilsa. Before she could storm out of the room, however, Esteban stood and grabbed her arm.

She turned back and the look of anger melted off of her face as she looked up into his sad, gentle eyes. Slowly, with tears in her eyes, she leaned up onto her tiptoes and kissed him softly on the cheek. She let go and giving him one last sad look, turned for the door.

But Esteban didn't let go of Maddie's arm. Ignoring Gretel's angry snarl, and knowing it might cost him his job, he pulled Maddie back to him, cupped her face in his hands and kissed her firmly on the mouth.

Her wet eyelashes brushed his cheek as he finally let go. She looked up into his face once more before leaving.

Maybe some good things did happen to her.

…we'll make it through

Next half should be up soon. This song is "Keep Holding On" by Avril Lavigne. Thanks for reading, please review!