A/N: Hey everyone! This is my new fanfic Time, Fate, and Love and it is the sequel to Ryan and Justine (A modern-day Romeo and Juliet) , which so many of you faithfully read. Thanks to all of you guys that continue to support me!

Disclaimer: This is MINE! I own all of these characters, as well as the plot!


Chapter One

Justine POV:

I looked around my dorm room. I couldn't believe that I was graduating this afternoon from Syracuse University with a journalism degree. The boxes that surrounded my room were filled with bedding and pictures in frames, and DVDs.

I looked out the window to the quad below, and watched the families gather with the other seniors that were getting ready to leave.

I turned away from the window and noticed a box hidden under my bed.

I pulled it out from under the bed, and took the top off. Inside were pictures of me and Ryan in one of those photo booths. I let my eyes fall to the see what else I had put in the box so long ago. I found quite a few notes from him, and even a Valentine's Day card asking me to be his valentine. At the bottom of the box, I found the journal that Ryan had given to me for my birthday. I opened it and started reading.

Fallen

Why am I letting myself fall farther and farther into that place?

The place that hurt me- the place where I don't want to be.

I want to go far away!

Out of this chair,

Just across the room,

halfway down the block,

or halfway to the moon.

I don't care!

I just want to get away- fast!

Don't wanna look over your shoulder

'Cause you don't want to

remember where you've been

It hurts, but I can't get out of this chair.

I'm stuck- glued.

I'm so sick of this-

Wanting and Loving,

But I can't help it!

When I think the trap door is locked, I'll go stand on it, and fall right back into the mess I just climbed out of.

Why?

Why does this hurt so much?

Can't He help?

He's the one that looks down upon us from the Heavens. The one that cares the most about us- so why doesn't He help us out when we've fallen and can't get back up?

Jesus take the wheel.

Take it from my hands-

I can't do this on my own.

I don't understand.

Why is getting back up on your feet after you've fallen so hard?

A sad smile appeared on my face as I turned the page and continued reading.

Why?

Why do I feel this way? Why did I let myself feel this way?

Why do these thoughts and feelings rattle around in my head- Every day and every night?

Why does he have to be so cute? Why does he have to be so nice? Why did I let myself love him?

Why?

I shut my eyes trying to remember Ryan's face at graduation. His brown hair fell into his eyes. He looked so happy, I thought picturing the red cap and gown that he wore.

The four years since then have flown by. I mean, look at me. I just graduated from college!

I flipped the page in my journal and resumed reading.

Windows and Doors

Sometimes I wonder why I let myself feel like this. I opened the window thinking that everything would be okay.

And when I thought the sun was shining brightly though, I threw the door open.

When I opened the door, I realized that gray clouds were moving in from the west, raining down on me.

The rain ran down my face as I tried to close the door. I got it most of the way closed when the wind blew I back open again.

I was soaked from head to toe, standing outside in the pouring rain.

"Help!" I cried. But no one heard me over the thunder and lightning.

I sat on the floor, and chocked back a couple of tears. I'm not crying over this again! I thought shoving the turquoise journal back into the box. I wiped a tear from my cheek and then stood up.

When I had taped the box shut, I stuffed it into one of the boxes that had a little extra room, and closed it.

A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door.

I walked over to it, taking a quick glance in the mirror. My hair was pulled back into a loose pony tail, and my tank top showed off my muscular arms. I opened the door to find my mom on the other side.

"Hi sweetie," she said giving me a hug.

"Hi mom. I wasn't expecting you for another hour."

"I know. There wasn't as much traffic as we were expecting, so here we are."

"We? Where's Dad?"

"Parking the car."

I nodded, and stood back so she could come in the room. "Well, I'm almost done. I just have to grab my laptop and bring my key to the front desk, but everything else is done."

She looked around the small room. "Did Emily already leave?" She asked, noticing the empty bed.

I nodded. "Yeah. She left late last night." I heard Dad's footsteps as he approached my dorm. "Hey Dad," I said as he appeared in the doorway.

"Hey kiddo," he said giving me a squeeze. "Almost ready to leave? We have about a four hour drive and your mother wants to get home before your brother gets there."

I nodded. "Yep. Let me just grab my laptop and we can head out."

I put my computer into its carrying case, zipped it up, and slung it over my shoulder. Then, I grabbed my key off the top of my dresser, and walked out the door. I dragged my suitcase behind me, and both of my parents had a box or two in their hands. I gave my key to the woman at the front desk, who wished me well in the future, and then we left.

As we drove down the street, I noticed quite a few cars lining the curb. Must be a party somewhere, I thought as we continued down the street.

"Welcome home," Dad said as he pulled into the driveway and cut the engine.

"Mmm," I muttered more to myself than to him. The lights in the house were off, and it seemed different somehow, like it was a different house almost.

My parents followed me up the short walk, and into the house. I put my bags down in the entryway, and flipped the light switch. Suddenly, the whole house was lit up like a pumpkin at Halloween, and then my friends and family were jumping out at me shouting "Welcome home!"

(A/N: What did you think? I'm not exactly sure where I am going with this yet… But I will let you know. The beginning isn't exactly planned out, but the middle and end are, so I just have to get the ball rolling again and it'll be a piece of cake. Haha. Anyway, please review, and include any suggestions that you want to happen, and I'll see what I can do. And sorry that it is so short- I'll try to make the next chapter longer!)