A/N: There is actually important informatin in this Author's Note, so pay attention. If you haven't read Runway there are two things you need to do. 1) Close this fic because you won't know what is going on if you keep on reading and 2) after you read Runaway, come back and read this chapter. Suddenly, life will make sense and you'll love Wendelin all over again for writing such an awesome story. Now if you have read Runaway, enjoy! Oh, and R&R!

Disclaimer: I do not own Sammy Keyes or Runaway. They belong to the genius that is Wendelin Van Draanen, who actually responds to fan mail...*laughs.

College is hard, but what but all the things that happen before you even get there? It's a good thing Sammy, Marissa, Dot and Holly will always have each other through death, romance and heartbreak as they go through high school and beyond.

Resolve

"Well, now that we've recounted those happy memories…," Sammy laughs languidly, her legs stretching into the circle the women created just hours previously. The other three young women laugh quietly while turning their attention to the journal lying in front of them.

"It was never easy to talk about. That's why I just brought the journal out. You know, everything that happened freshman year didn't affect me, not like being homeless at 12. I had such a different outlook on life then. I realize now that it was a part of my survival. If I admitted to myself that I was homeless, my resolve would have been broken that much more quickly. Even today, I cannot believe what I went through all those years ago. That's why Heather never really got to me either; I knew she could never hurt me, physically or emotionally, not like the Bender's or any of those other horrible people who had the damn to treat their foster kids like pieces of dirt, less than human. I'd had already gone through enough in my life!" While she spoke, Holly managed to maintain a level voice, until the very end. Her words began to take a loaded meaning, emotion driving her to near tears.

Holly sprang up from the circle, tears claiming her dominant expression. Dot moved to comfort her, but Holly threw a hand out to stop her. "I need to get this out there. It's been kept in for too long." Silence filled the room, everyone waiting with abated breathe, wanting, yet fearing what Holly would say.

"It was so scary, when Sammy took me to Meg and Vera. I didn't know what would happen. I was so ready to run, so terrified of my own honesty. I really think your promises helped me through that, Sammy. I don't know what I would have done without you, without any of you. It must've been difficult to accept me like that, out of nowhere, not knowing who I was or what I had done. Numerous people didn't trust me, from adults to kids our own age. And who could blame them? I was a kid, with my instincts taking over my mind, because it was the only way I could survive. I learned so much that year, being homeless. I just wish I could take it back. As much as I love Meg and Vera and all they have done for me, I still—I still miss my mom."

Holly wrapped her arms around herself, the tears preventing her from speaking. Sammy rose from the floor and placed an arm around Holly, "It isn't fair is it?" She muttered quietly to Holly.

"No," Holly rasped, moving towards Sammy's embrace, "I don't understand why they always leave. I think of her, I try to blame her for leaving me behind, for loving heroin more than me and my own welfare and I just can't. Why can't I?"

"Because she's your mother. She's your own blood and soul. There's this unspeakable, unbreakable bond between a mother and her daughter. No matter what happens you will always be connected and you will always love her. It's important to remember, though, that despite all the things she did to you, or didn't do for you, that she loved you from the day you were born. I can see that in the journal entries," Sammy spoke tenderly, comfortingly.

Holly sniffed slowly, causing a laugh to be draw from the rest of her friends. She smiled meekly and nodded to Sammy, smiling. "Thanks you guys."

"Anytime Holly," Marissa and Dot said together, because even though they didn't say anything, they were there, for the first time in Holly's life.

"Now, where were we?" Dot smiled broadly, wanting to resume their reflection of high school. Sammy's mind went into overdrive…there was only a few more major events that they would want to touch on…one that Sammy avoided to think about.

A/N: I'd love, love to have some more reviews so I know people are actually interested in this story. It gives me some motivation to keep going. Because I know where this is going to end, but I can easily quit writing for it. So, please review!