Sammie came over and hugged me. "It's so good to see you again, Ally!" she yelled in my ear.

Then she backed off, noticing Simon. "Who's this, Ally?"

I was prepared for that. "This is my e-pal from L.A."

"Oh... cool! Maybe he can stay at your place for a bit."

I pouted, and she finally understood.

"Your condo, I mean."

Simon held out his hand to shake Sammie's. The two of them seemed like they could be friends. Easier on me that way, I thought. He'll be easier to handle than I thought.

Sammie led us to her van, where Hilary and Tracy were waiting.

"Hiya, guys!" I shouted, waving my hand.

The two of them waved back and motioned us over.

"Wow, is this kid your date?" Tracy asked.

I looked to Simon and realized he was holding my hand, and I let go, blushing. "No, and I actually don't know how that happened."

Hilary and Tracy laughed. "Looks like you're stuck with him."

I guess I was. The only two seats left were the ones all the way in the back... alone.

"What are you guys waiting for? Get in!"

Simon and I both came back to reality and jumped in the car. The two of us tried to avoid looking at each other by watching the scenery pass us by.

"Are you two okay?" Sammie asked us.

"Fine," we replied simultaneously.

"Geez, you guys are practically twins. You guys do the same exact stuff... and it's kinda creepy."

"Can we please change the subject?" Tracy interrupted. "So, how was L.A?"

I sighed. "Well... until Sammie called me about my parents, I was fine..." I wiped a few stray tears away before I kept going with my story. "Then, I found out about Simon here and how he wanted to hang with me for a while. His home life is hard right now, so he wants to stay with me."

"Oh, I see..."

The rest of the trip was made in silence. When we arrived at the condo building, I took my stuff and went to the room Hilary told me to go to.

I locked the door on the outside so that way no one would disturb me. The only piece of furniture that was in the front room was a piano. I went over to it and took out a piece of sheet music that was near and dear to my heart. I started to sing along:

Seems like it was yesterday when I saw your face
You told me how proud you were but I walked away
If only I knew what I know today

I kept an image of my parents in my head over and over and over again. It hurt me to even try to play this song, but I had to let it out.

I would hold you in my arms
I would take the pain away
Thank you for all you've done
Forgive all your mistakes
There's nothing I wouldn't do
To hear your voice again
Sometimes I want to call you,
But I know you won't be there

I'm sorry for blaming you for everything I just couldn't do
And I've hurt myself by hurting you

I couldn't believe the tears falling from my eyes as I was playing this. I hoped nobody would come in and notice.

Some days I feel broke inside but I won't admit
Sometimes I just want to hide 'cause it's you I miss
You know, it's so hard to say goodbye when it comes to this

Would you tell me I was wrong?
Would you help me understand?
Are you looking down upon me?
Are you proud of who I am?
There's nothing I wouldn't do
To have just one more chance
To look into your eyes and see you looking back

I'm sorry for blaming you for everything I just couldn't do
And I've hurt myself

I realized I would never have the chance to see them again. If only I could have gone with them, maybe it would have been the only way out...

If I had just one more day,
I would tell you how much that
I've missed you since you've been away

Oh, it's dangerous
It's so out of line to try to turn back time

The tears had become overwhelming now, so I stopped playing and continued doing it acapella.

I'm sorry for blaming you for everything I just couldn't do
And I've hurt myself

I heard someone come up behind me as I sang the last few notes.

By hurting you

Standing behind me was Simon, who leaned my head into his chest after I finished. The only thing I kept thinking in my head was that he understood where I was coming from. Not even Sammie would understand what I'm going through. He's the only one that will ever understand me...

Get a hold of yourself, I thought. There's bound to be someone out there that's better than him...

I mentally calculated the odds. Okay, there is no guy out there for me like Simon. I just need to do the one thing I know he'll be fine with, and that's continuing to be his friend.

I just need to take it slow...