Sorry it's so short. I'm suffering writers block. I reread this and I've noticed I made a few errors so here's everyone's age.

Huey-22 (He seems like a February baby)

Jazmine-22 (She seems...Spring Maybe?)

Caesar-22

Cindy-21 (but turns 22 later on in the story)

Riley-20

It brought back so many memories. This town, this street, even this house meant so much to her. How did she ever leave it? Everything was exactly the same when she left. Three years felt like a long time when you were away.

"You know", Jazmine started, taking a sip of coffee. "Out of all of us, I never thought you'd be the one to stay. What happened to the whole 'As soon as I can, I'm leaving this hellhole and never coming back' thing?" She made air quotatons to put a pointless emphasis on it.

You don't have to answer if you don't want,"she gazed in his direction.

He pondered for a moment.

"What happened to 'I love this place. It's home. I could never leave'? Funny how things work out huh?", he bit, returning the same stare and air quotes she had given with her question. Jazmine seemed unfazed by his sarcasm, as she did an slightly overdramatic sigh.

"Drama queen", he mumbled to himself.

"Listen Huey," she blinked sympathetically. "It was never my intention to leave...you, but I don't know, I guess I had to follow my path. You and I both know that I would have stayed if you gave any type of hint that you wanted me to."

"Jazmine, I really don't need your sympathy. If you are implying that by you and well, everyone else leaving, I have spent everyday since alone and pathetic, you're wrong. You should know by now that it doesn't bother me at all. I won't die because people I were fond of moved to another state to follow their dreams. If anything, I should commend you for beating the statistics. There was a low chance of you making it from the jump. The fact that you're a household name is somewhat of an acomplishment," Huey finished, yawning.

"Sleepy, huh," was her final reply, as she spent the next ten seconds picking with her nails. Deciding the silence was pushing her over the edge, she cleared her throat causing Huey's head to look towards her.

"I first met you two days after I turned ten. It was May 31st and I was at my favorite spot on the hill. I looked at you and you had hair like mine, and skin like my fathers. I thought 'maybe he understands me! Finally, someone who really knows what it's like.'"

Huey just listened. Jazmine's face was set as she continued to talk.

"I said 'Hi, it's a nice day today. why are you so sad' and you just looked at me. You snorted and said 'The government lies, cheats, and steals from us everyday. The world is coming to it's end, and yet people walk around oblivious. Today is just like any other, with a little bit more sunshine. So tell me, what the hell makes today so special?' Even though it was mean, there was something that fascinated me about you," she chuckled shaking her head.

"You know Jazmine. You're not the same naive, bashful girl you were twelve years ago. You were never dumb. If you thought that's what I had thought you were dead wrong. Yes you had no clue of the dangers around you. But in no way were you ever dumb." Huey's tone was unreadable.

"Thanks. That really means something to me," she smiled a weary smile. "You've changed to, whether you know it or not," she replied, forming a yarn now.

"What makes you say that?,'' he did that oh-so-famous eyebrow trademark.

Jazmine giggled, something that she hadn't done in awhile.

Huey looked amused and curious as he waited. "What is so funny?"

"Okay maybe you haven't changed your facial expressions, but even if you don't admit it, you've come to terms. What I mean is, you have accepted the fact that some things you can't change, and the whole world isn't entirely evil."

"Whatever," he sucked his teeth. Jazmine noticed something. He didn't do it out of sarcasm, but somewhat of a playfullness. She couldn't help the spark that returned to her emerald green eyes.

"I always told Riley, something like this would happen. He was way too smart to end up like this. I just don't get it. For awhile, he was actually doing good. Maybe I didn't do enough."

That comment took her by surprise. Riley was like a brother to her. She never passed judgement on him, and surprisingly they had good conversations often.

Jazmine, stood up, stretched and made her way over to his chair. Before he could object to her obvious pity, he found her arms wrapped around him. He wanted to pull away, but he didn't. Mistake number one, he thought. Don't show vulnerability.

How could he be assured everything would be okay when his brother was on the thin line between life and death?

"No one truly knows what comes next. But whatever happens, and I mean what I say, I'll be there Huey."

How could he possibly take her word, when she had just up and left him?

And yet...he just sat there, his mind whirling, and head spinning.

kay well please review or else I think no one cares about little old me and my non interesting story. If you read it, don't be lazy, I mean the button is right there. Thanks...updating soon. Critics are welcomed, but no flames!