Hey again, guys and girls! ( Guys and Dolls!) Sorry, I had to make that joke. Anyways, I am writing this chapter by myself because Puck and Kyo is unavailable, and I have nothing better to do. Thanks so much to the people who read the first chapter, and here is Chapter 2! I'll try to make this one a bit longer than the last.

My eyes felt like they were burning- the lump in my throat kept getting bigger. I rapidly approached a corner, praying that no one would be on the other side. I really didn't want anyone else to see me like this. I would be ashamed to be seen crying- I need to show my dad that I am strong. He needs to be able to see that I can make him proud. I swung around the corner, able to see the door. The door that goes outside. It feels as though it is getting farther and farther away. Just...Farther. The world was spinning more and more with every step I took. My breathing got heavier and heavier. I tried to shake these thoughts aside, and the door swung open. Finally- the fresh wind dried some of the tears on my face. The sun embraced me in it's warm rays. It was a beautiful day outside. I could take in the flowery air, and the tensity released.

A blackness slowly crept into my vision from all corners. My knees buckled beneath me, and I soon felt the stone path scraping my cheek. And, then, it was all black.

When I awoke, I was back at my house. I called for my mom a few times, and wiped my still-wet face. There was no answer or anything- she must've still been at work or something. I was kinda disappointed that she wasn't here, but at the same time, I am glad she wasn't. It can be comforting to have her around sometimes, but I don't like people seeing me upset. I try to convey myself as a happy person, which makes me feel like everything I do is a lie. Am I betraying everyone around me?

" No one understands me..." I mumbled quietly, sitting up in my bed with my head in my hands. I thought I heard a little whisper of,

" I do," but I'm probably just going crazy. I stood up, and waltzed into the kitchen. I brewed myself a small cup of camomile tea, which burned my fingertips when I tried to pick it up. It fell to the floor, shattering to pieces. I sighed- I just couldn't catch a break today, could I? I swept up the shards, and tossed them into the trash. I sopped up the tea with a mop. Deciding not to try to make another cup, I sat back down on the couch. I stretched myself out, and stared at the ceiling. A blank slate.

That's when it occurred to me. Father gave mom a tea set when they got married. My stomach dropped again, and I started to panic. I hopped over the back of the couch and ran over to the trash. I examined all the broken bits, and sure enough, that little cherry tree painted on it was there. Oh no! This was one of moms cups! I pulled out the piece with the tree on it, and held it close to my heart.

" I'm sorry..." I choked out, breaking into tears again. I can't believe I just let this happen- my mom will be so upset! She doesn't want me to see it, but I can tell she still misses him. I wrapped the little piece into a linen handkerchief and placed it in my pocket.

I took three deep breaths- my friend Tracy had always told me that can change any situation. My head cleared up a bit, and I decided to search for my schoolbooks. If I was brought home by the nurse or something, they would've brought my books. I looked on the dinner table, on the couch, and in my mother's and my room. They were nowhere to be found. Hmm- maybe they just saw me and decided to take me home? Jeez- this is turning out to be more important than I thought it would be. I did one more check to make sure they weren't in the house, and they definitely weren't.

Okay, so, if they didn't know me, it would explain why they wouldn't grab my books, ( they wouldn't know where to find them,) but, how would they know where I live? Oh my gosh, do I have a stalker or something?

I calmed myself- I knew I was being crazy, but... I just needed to be crazy for awhile. I need to release everything that has been inside. The sun peeked inside through the curtains, which gave me enough motivation to go back outside again. I walked over to the door ( which was the most stubborn door I have ever had to open), swung it open, and ran outside.

This house doesn't hold the same heart that my old one had. Before, we lived in a big house. Just us three. Always together. Mom wanted to move close to the ocean- she said it expanded into an infinity. She had always said that the ocean never stops rolling onto the shore- it never stops giving and giving. She always ended by saying,

" It's almost as beautiful as you, Elicia." I would always hug her when she said that, smile, say I love you, etc. But, I never actually believed it to be true. She only ever says nice things because she is my mom. It's a mom's job to say stuff like that. I hopped onto my bicycle, and rolled down the hill. Past the school, and soon to the beach. The heavy, salty air was everywhere.

I laid down on the smooth sand, the waves just barely touching my feet. I could hear voices bounce around the long stretch of beach- they all sound happy. A dark shadow covers me, blocking my view of the sun. A hand is reaching towards me, and I could've sworn I saw dad's face. My dad's face. I took the hand, and stood up. I quickly brushed the sand off of my back, and looked at the person again. It was definitely not my dad, but I just saw him! Where could he have gone?

" Why aren't you in school?" the boy who offered me his hand asked.

" There was a thing," I said, trying to stay vague.

" Oh! A thing!" he replied, smiling. I liked how he didn't barge in to my thoughts or life- he just let me have it the way I wanted.

" Why aren't you in school?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I had a thing, too," he replied, winking. We both smiled.

I looked up at the sun, guessing it was around two.

" I should probably be heading home," I said, waving and beginning to walk away. He ran ahead of me and turned around, still smiling.

" Want me to walk you home?" he asked.

" How do you know where I live?" I asked teasingly.

" I don't! But you can show me! I can even say I learned something today!" We both chuckled.

" Okay," I said.

" Okay to what?" he inquired, looking genuinely confused.

" You can walk me home, if you want to still," I said, a little bashful for some reason. We walked side by side, me dragging my bike beside me. He was a pleasant talker- a person who could talk forever and a person who I could listen to forever. Whoa- that sounded waaay cheesier than I thought it would. Oops. What I mean is that, he's talkative, but not in an annoying way.

When we arrived at my house, I was a little sad to see him leave.

" Silly me," I said, " I never asked your name!"

" Aaron," he answered, " And, yours?"

" Elicia Hughes."

" Well then, Elicia Hughes, I should probably head back home."

" Yeah, probably Aaron...whatever your last name is."

He waved, and soon disappeared in the distance. I stood, waving, until he was gone.

I went back inside, and the door swung open with ease.

Okay, thank you so much for reading this far! And, if you understood my small reference to How I Met Your Mother in there, you rock! Please review! Don't be afraid to share your actual opinions with me, PM me, anything really. I value each and every review. And no, I'm not just saying that- I check every hour to see if anyone else has posted. Sorry- I get excited. I'm not creepy at all! Okay, I'm really not that creepy, I'm just happy. If you have any ideas for the story, post them...write them...pm me... Just, tell me somehow, and I will credit you below if I wind up using it. This story has a lot of different ways it can go, and I want to know what my 2 readers feel like it should be. So, be safe! I'll probably update again this week.