Chapter 2: Musings

Kate was sitting on her bed attempting to read her assigned book for English class. Her mind was wandering, which wasn't all that unusual, except her musings were not the usual silly day dreams. Her mind has been turning back to Chase, her time in the hospital, and the evasiveness by the group of her questions.

She has shrugged it off countless times before but something was nagging her. Her mind felt restless when she couldn't find the exact answers she wanted. She glanced over at Sarah who was answering email on Kate's laptop. Sarah didn't seem plagued by unanswered questions. Did it even bother her?

"Hey, Sarah?" the dark haired girl called over to her friend. "Yeah?" the blonde answered without turning around. "Do you ever think about Chase? You know, why he left?" she asked. She knew the theories: Chase became rebellious and decided to run away, distant members of his family came and had him come live with them, Chase was kidnapped. Each story became more farfetched than the one before it.

Sarah tensed. She hated thinking of that… that thing. He wasn't worthy of thoughts but she tried to make her voice calm and even when she responded to Kate. "Not really. I didn't know him that much. I just figured he got bored and you know decided to leave."

Kate internally sighed at her best friend. She always said the same thing when she asked. "Yeah. Just why though?" she asked futilely. Now came the part where Sarah said, "No idea." and changed the topic.

"No clue. Kate maybe he wasn't that great of a friend. I mean, he left and didn't even say good-bye." Sarah said trying to help her friend forget about that evil person. She wanted to add, "Not to mention, he tried to kill you and your boyfriend." but that would just open a can of worms that should stay permanently sealed.

"Yeah, I know." Kate said, resigning the rest of the conversation. She picked up her book and tried desperately to let herself believe all the things Sarah and Pogue have told her.

Next Day:

Pogue was sitting on his bed in the dorms. He planned on going out with Kate but she called and cancelled, much to his displeasure. She seemed really excited a few days ago when they made the plans but tonight she sounded somewhat distant. Pogue vaguely wondered if she was feeling well but earlier in the day she appeared fine.

He didn't question when she sounded off because she usually snapped on him, saying things like "What? Can't a girl have a night in?" or "I'm fine. Just leave me alone." He has come to terms with her mood swings just like she has with his penchant for daredevil stunts and adrenaline packed sports.

They had a relationship that was at times rocky but he loved her dearly and couldn't think of losing her. He had come close once and the pain, worry, and guilt he felt sometimes still attacks him when he recollects on that close call.

He wanted to protect her from all the bad things out there even though she insisted that she doesn't need a guardian. He has seen the same spark of protectiveness in Caleb about Sarah. He doesn't know if it began because of the Chase incident or just because he loves her.

He figured it may be the latter. She was really the one and only person who could get him to worry less and enjoy life more. He would always be grateful; it saved him a scolding from Caleb many a times.

He grinned at the memory of how Caleb always had this huge grin on his face when Sarah and he began dating. He could still catch that silly smile on his friend's face sometimes.

That mental picture brought around his thoughts to Sophia and his youngest 'brother.' He also has been caught with the sappy smile a few times. Tyler has always been the baby of the group and they all liked to think that they had somehow molded him into who he is.

Pogue, himself, was included in this group although he did realize that Tyler had his own personality. It was becoming more prevalent recently; he believed it was because he was more relaxed at Sophia's side. They seemed perfectly at ease with each other and it often surprised him.

He was still worried about screwing up in front of Kate when they began dating and yet Tyler wasn't being the bumbling fool that he was a few years ago around girls.

Pogue decided to shake off this stupor he had fallen into. He grabbed the keys to his bike and walked out the door. If he couldn't get his heart pounding by being around Kate then he would just have to fly down the roads at an illegal speed.

A/N: Did I do this type of POV okay? I tried. Anyways, let me know of you like this behind-the-scenes of the story. Gracias! Remember the PM deal with certain phrases, look back at Ch. 1 for more details if you need them.