Angel was standing in her best friend Joe's house. She was wearing a short black dress with high heels that were killing her. The pain in her feet, however, was nothing compared to the pain in her heart. She couldn't believe that Joe's mom had died. It seemed like she was there one moment, and - in a flash - gone the next. Angel was reminded of how she'd lost her parents - but, granted, she'd never really known them; she now appreciated the people that were close to her.

She was staring into space, vaguely aware of her other friends having a conversation beside her. She looked to the side, her eyes quickly glancing at each boy. Looking back again, she realized Joe wasn't there, which she guessed was understandable. Still, she was worried about him. After all, he'd lost one of the most important people in his life. Making sure no one was looking, she snuck off in the house, hoping to find him.

"Joe?" she called in a half-whisper once she reached the hallway. "You there?" No answer. She moved back into the kitchen, looking around for a moment. She wandered over to the refrigerator out of habit. She stared at the pictures of the family. It was so painful to see their smiling faces. Angel had seen these pictures so many times before, but this time it was different. There was Joe's mom, holding him when he was just two years old (as he'd told her). She had the biggest smile on her face, while Joe - with food on his face - looked about ready to cry. Angel usually thought this picture was funny - but now, it reminded her of how much pain he must be going through. She turned away from the fridge, not wanting the ponder further, and slipped to the sliding door to the backyard.

The backyard was empty, but it took Angel back to memories of playing there as little kids. She'd known Joe since they were babies, and they were inseparable. Angel never had the best home life, her parents weren't very supportive. The flashbacks were too much for Angel to handle, and she pushed open the gate leading to the front yard. Her aching feet crunched through the snow, starting to move faster once she spotted Joe sitting on one of the two swings in the front yard.

"Joe?" she called immediately. He only looked down at the snow. "Joe?" she repeated.

He turned gently to look at her. She didn't see any tears on his face, but it was more than obvious he was distraught; his pale face was frowning as he looked her over. She wished she could tell him everything was going to be okay - but she knew he wouldn't see anything as okay.

She stood a few feet away from him. Frustrated with the pain, she kicked her heels off and tiptoed through through the freezing snow as quickly as she could, collapsing onto the swing next to him. He looked up at her.

He continued to stare at her as she tried to start a conversation. "Hi," she said softly.

"Hi," he replied, blinking a tear away.

"Everyone's in there, you know. We miss you."

"I know everyone's in there. That's why I'm out here."

Angel didn't know how to respond to that. She sighed, pushed her feet to the cold ground, and swung back and forth lightly. Realizing that Joe wasn't going to say anything, she decided to speak up. "It doesn't feel like she's gone."

"Not to you."

"You're right. I'm sorry. But I just don't understand it."

"You think I do?" he said bitterly.

"No-I mean-I don't know." Angel internally cursed at herself for not knowing what to say.

"I-It's okay. I know what you mean. I just didn't-I didn't think..."

"I didn't either." Angel whispered. Joe's mother had partially raised her, after all. She'd spent a lot of time here at Joe's house over the years. It didn't feel right to be here without his mom.

"I don't know what to do now."

"Do about what?"

"About everything. Mom was always there for me. Now she isn't."

Knowing words weren't going to help her, Angel leaned towards Joe and gave him a tight hug. "We'll be here for you," she said.

They stayed like that for a moment, and then Angel let go. "Come in soon, okay?" she said, offering a small smile.

Joe simply nodded. Angel started making her way back to the front door, desperately wishing she had her shoes to cover her bleeding and freezing feet. The warmth of the house as she slipped back in would suffice. Quickly, she stepped back to where she had first been standing, and hoped that no one would notice.

"Where the hell were you?" Cary hissed.

"I-I was looking for Joe," she replied, blushing with shame.

"He wanted to be alone. He told me before you got here."

"But I was worried about him. I didn't-"

"Well, you should have just stayed."

"Yeah, well, I like to be a good friend. Which you wouldn't know about."

"I'm a great friend."

"No, you suck. The only reason I hang out with you is because I like the rest of these guys." Angel said, jerking her head towards the other boys, who she now realized were all staring and listening to the argument.

"I'm a better friend because I respect Joe's feelings."

"I'm a better friend because I don't leave someone that I've known since preschool out in the cold at the worst time of his life."

"I'm-"

"This isn't a contest. If it were, I'd have won, but since it's not, let's just leave it be."

"I don't like you."

"Good to know."

Angel moved to the other side of the group of boys, away from Cary.

"Your feet look terrible." Preston commented.

"Gee, thanks." Angel rolled her eyes.

"Don't they hurt?"

"No. I've been through worse pain."

"You've never been really hurt," Cary replied, not looking at her.

"Shut up. You've known me for over ten years and you still don't know anything about my life."

"Whatever."

"Are you going to summer school again? 'Cause you're supposed to be helping me with my movie," Charles told Angel.

"You don't need me. All the jobs are covered and you'll find some pretty girl to play the wife."

"Well, we all know you suck at acting," Charles joked.

"Thanks," she replied knowingly. "But no, I'm not going to summer school, so I could help you guys out."

"W-"

"Or, could have, considering you'll still find that other girl."

"You'll be the wife for now," Charles said quietly.

Angel smirked. "Why thank you."

"Does that mean we get to make her kiss Martin?" Cary smirked.

"Wait..what? I didn't agree to that." Martin's eyes widened.

"He's just being mean, Martin." Angel said, glaring at Cary.

"Yeah, yeah. I was just kidding," Cary said awkwardly. He knew what Angel would do if he didn't say that; she let him know of her forgiveness with a quick nudge.

Just then, Joe walked back into the house and found a spot next to his friends. "Hey," Angel said. He didn't say anything.

"Are you still going to do my movie?" Charles blurted out. Angel kicked him.

"Movie?" Joe mouthed.

"Yeah, remember? We're doing the movie this summer."

A smile began to grow on Joe's face. He had something to look forward to - and it (or, rather, she) was standing right in front of him. "Yeah, I guess," he muttered.

Angel kicked Charles again.

"Quit it! That hurts!" he yelled, loudly enough for people to take notice.

Angel glared. "I-I mean...uh...sorry," he replied as the adults stared at him. Angel looked down, but smiled to herself. As much as she loved her friends, she loved teasing them even more.

They were quiet for a few moments, but Charles broke the silence. "I'm hungry."

"Of course you are, fatso," Cary said.

"Shut up, shorty," he replied.

"Shut UP. Both of you." Angel kicked both of the boys.

"OW!" Cary almost shrieked, and the adults glared at him.

"See how it feels?" Charles whispered harshly. "See what it's like to be humiliated?" Joe had been watching the whole time - and, for the first time in a while, he laughed.

Angel sighed. "I gotta go. Alexa and Pat will be worried." she said, referring to her older "sister" and "brother" who were her guardians.

She gave Joe another hug before she left. "Bye, Joe. Love you."

"You don't love me?" Cary teased.

"No, I really don't," Angel said, and she walked out of the room feeling a bit of regret