.:Chapter 7: Almost there:.

How did she know this? Ash, Gary, and Ritchie were all surprised. "W-w-w-what?" Ash asked confused stuttering.

"The thing that you heard on TV was not all the real truth. Do you remember that Brenda had a boyfriend?" Erica questioned.

"Yah, Jake. She never once showed him to us. She would only mention his name." Gary spoke.

"Well what you don't know was that she dumped him a while before the accident.. It turned out that he cheated on her with another girl." If possible Erica looked down even more but straightened to look the trio in the eyes."H-h-h-he got his dad's keys and got his truck that he uses for work, and he purposely tried crashing into the car Brenda was in." By now tears starting pouring down her face. "And her mom tried to dodge the attack but in the attempt, she drove over a patch of ice, and crashed into the truck. The force of the impact forced the car to topple over."Erica said through sobs."He did that on purpose." She rose her voice crying even more."Just to get her back for dumping him. He said he wasn't thinking. That he was mad because she dumped him. He said he never meant this to happen. He never imagined this would be the outcome." Erica said putting her hands to cover her eyes. I was amazed at all this information I never knew. I mean I heard that a girl the same age as me died in a car accident 3 years ago, and that her sister somehow managed to survive. But I never knew the whole story because I rarely watch the news.

Suddenly I asked out of curiosity."Erica, how do you know this?"

Erica wiped her eyes, and tried to stop crying, and stuttered,"I-I-I-I...She was my sister."She finally admitted. "Imagine having your sister, and mother die. Well, step-mother die, too. Before your eyes too, and still you escape with barely any scratches, and with only a little bump on your head." She started crying again but louder now. Everyone shifted their eyes to see what had happened. The waitress told them that its none of their business what was going on, and told them to mind their own business. So, they were forced to shift their gazes off of Erica, and us.

"Wow." Gary said, "I would never have guessed that you would be her sister, Erica." Although when he said it, it didn't sound as if he was surprised, it sounded like he already knew.

"Now, that I remember, you do look like her sister. I remember meeting her sister once when I went to pick up Sam from Brenda's house after a sleepover."

"I wonder why Brenda never talked about you." Ash wondered.

Erica took a deep breath and calmed down. "That's because she didn't like me at all. You see she was my step-sister, my real mom died, and my dad married her mom, and along came Brenda. She was jealous of me at the beginning because I was getting all the attention at home. So, she came up with the idea of a band and started it. After her band won in a contest, she started getting a lot of the attention. I really didn't care, and then she started getting even more jealous of me when on my 10th birthday I got a locket and a rose from this one mysterious guy. I had no idea who he was. Brenda claimed she knew who by the handwriting. I had no idea whatsoever who it was. She never once told me." Erica looked down.

I saw out of the corner of my eye Ash raised his eyebrow at Gary at the mention of the necklace. Now, something weird was defiantly going on, and I would get to the bottom of it sooner or later. Erica sighed which brought my attention back to her."I still remember it as if it were yesterday." She said looking up.

--Flashback--

Twelve year-old Erica came in the door with her step-sister Brenda after school. "We're home!" Brenda yelled dropping her backpack by the door. Erica did the same.

"Is Erica with you?" A female voice rang through the house bouncing of the walls.

"Yep!" Brenda exclaimed.

"Okay. Erica close your eyes." Their mom had instructed her. Erica did as she was told and Brenda helped guide her through the hallway into the living room.

There she was greeted by family, "Surprise!" They yelled."Happy Birthday, Erica!" Erica gasped.

Her Grandma waved her over to the presents."You can open them now if you like.

"Yay!" Erica squealed. She sat down and began tearing through the wrapping paper at top speed. She got a new red bike from her parents, a radio from her Grandparents along with 20 dollars, a new black backpack from her cousins, another 20 bucks from her Aunt and Uncle, from her sister she got a jewelery box, and much more. After the present openings they all had cake and ice-cream. Then, all the kids started playing games. They played musical chairs, which Erica's cousin, Sarah won. Then, they played Dance Dance Revolution, which Erica won. After a couple more games it was nearing dark so the guests had to leave. She hugged everyone and thanked them for the presents. By the end of the day Erica was happy. She hugged and kissed everyone one final time as they were leaving.

"Okay now why don't you go put those presents away now?" Their mom asked.

"Okay, mom." Erica agreed.

"Here let me help you." Brenda said. She ddin't really want to help but figured she better or else her mom would tell her too. She helped carry Erica's presents to her room. Brenda settled Erica's presents down on Erica's bed. "There." She muttered having finished the task. Erica came in a second later. She put the rest of the things next to her other presents that occupied the bed. "Hey, what's this?"Brenda asked walking over to the window.

"Huh?" Responded Erica."What is it, Brenda?"

"I think you should come over here." Erica came by Brenda. She gasped. There by the window was a card, a small box, and a rose. "Who is it from, Erica? Huh?" She qouestioned."Maybe it's from a secret admirer." A smile rose to her face.

"I...I don't know." Erica stood there dumbstruck.

"Well, open the card first." Brenda pointed to the card. Erica slowly picked the card up and opened it. She read it aloud:

Dear Erica,

I'm sorry I can't give this to you in person. But, I'm currently busy at the moment. Happy twelve birthday! Hope your wishes come true.

- anonymous

"So nobody signed it." Brenda stated.

"Yah."

"Well, then you have a secret admirer." Brenda chanted. Erica layed the card down and picked up the box. She slowly opened the lid and inside was one of the most beautiful necklaces she had ever seen. She picked it up gently with her fingers. It was a heart locket. She twirled it around in front of her face ever so gently. It had white diamonds outlining the shape. With the letter 'E' on the front made also by the same diamonds.

"Wow." Erica murmured. Brenda looked up from the card that she was reading. Her mouth fell open.

"Omawgosh. It's gorgeous Open it." Erica did as she was told and opened the locket gently as to not break it. Inside there was another note attached. Erica took the note and saw a picture of herself laughing. She remembered that one. It was at Brenda's eleventh birthday, and this guy made a joke about another boy, and the joke was so funny that she started laughing. The other spot was empty. "Whats that?" Brenda's voice broke her thoughts.

"Huh?"

"That note in your hand."

"Ohh." Erica opened the note and was greeted by advice:

Never give up on your dreams – someday, somehow, somewhere you will find them.

Just like I'll never give up my dreams of you. And I'll always admire you. xxx – that guy. Keep in touch with me. That guyyahoo

"Let me see that." Brenda demanded. Erica handed her the sheet, and put the locket back in the box. She went to pick up the rose. She smelled it; it smelled so beautiful, so fresh. But, she was interrupted by Brenda's yell,"What?? How could he." She said, her eyes starting to water. She wiped them.

"Brenda, you know who that guy is? What's his name?"

"Yah, I know that bastards name." She muttered.

"Tell me then."Erica pleaded.

"What so you can go and take my crush away, again??" She yelled, "I know his writing and that's his."

"Who's writing? Who's? I won't talk to him. I promise. Just give me his name."

"Like I'd believe you. Everything in my life is going wrong. He was supposed to fall for me. Not you!" She stomped her foot," I can't believe this. It's happening again! First, Chase wants you, then, Josh did too. Do you get the pattern?" She said blinking back tears. Erica shook her head slightly afraid."They're all my ex-boyfriends. They just used me to get to know to you. Do you know how it feels being used all the time?" She questioned. Erica opened her mouth to say something but was interrupted by Brenda,"That's right. You don't because you've never been used before." She threw the note, and it landed on Erica's bed. Then, she stormed out of the room. Erica settled the rose down on her nightstand.

"Brenda!" She yelled.

"Don't talk to me!"Brenda's voice came yelling. Clearly she was angry.

"But, Brenda!" Erica whined.

"No, I said don't talk to me!" Brenda screamed.

"What's with all the commotion up there, girls?"

Erica hesitated but answered,"Nothing!"

-- End of Flashback--

"That's what happened. She barely talked to me and I barely talked to her." She pulled out the necklace,"And here's the necklace that caused all the drama."She chuckled. I've seen that necklace before. Erica always wears it. But, I never knew the history behind it. I looked at the guys. Ash's face was content while Gary's was shocked. "Y..y..you still have that necklace after all that trouble it caused?" Gary asked.

"Yep. I still have it. And I still have the note that guy sent me. That note reminds me to never give up. I never did find out his name. I still stay in contact with him through IM. I tried getting him to tell me his name. But, he never does. I wish I knew. He sounds so sweet, and caring. He said he was the same age as me. I have one picture of him somewhere in my photo album of when he was younger. But, that's all."

I noticed that after Erica's confession she seemed sad that she had no idea what that guys name is. So, I tried to think of another topic. Suddenly an idea popped into my head. "Hey Erica."

"Hmm?" She mumbled.

"How about we go to our favorite spot?"

She sat straight up and smiled."Kay. You guys coming?" She asked the trio.

"Don't see why not."Ash said.

"Yah, sure." Gary agreed.

"Okay."

"Well, come on." Erica said. We went to pay for our orders and left out the door. When someone's cellphone went off.

"It's Ritchie's."Ash simply stated.

Ritchie picked up his cellphone,"Hello?...Hmh...yah...why?...fine...be there in a little but."He closed his phone."Sorry guys. I got to jet have guitar lessons. Bye."

"Bye." We all said, and started walking towards our favorite spot.

"Where are we going?" Asked Gary.

"To 'The Hill'. It's this big hill in Gateway Park that overlooks the entire town. It's so beautiful there, especially when the sun sets. And you could see one of the most romantic places ever. The Cerulean Cape." I finished.

"So where is Gateway Park?" Ash wondered aloud.

"Over there."Erica pointed up ahead. We reached the park and Erica opened the tall, metal gate. "Come on."Erica waved running running ahead.

"Wait up." I yelled running to catch up with Erica. Gary, and Ash soon followed. Kids of all ages were playing in the park, families were having picnics, and others were just sitting on the benches talking to their friends. I took out my phone and saw the time. 3:00. Okay good. We found the hill and the guys seemed to be amazed by the height of it. "Hey Ash." I said.

"Huh?" He looked over at me.

"Race ya."

"You're on, Mist."

"On the count of three...one...two...three." I started bolting towards the top of the hill. He was following behind trying to surpass me. I managed to notice that Gary, and Erica were also racing. Then, I felt something grab my ankle, and trip me. I fell and Ash sprinted ahead. "Hey! No Far!" I yelled. He just shrugged. Ohh now it just got personal. I thought with a smirk creeping onto my face as I started running towards Ash trying to catch up with him. I managed to grab a hold of his ankle tripping him and starting surpassing him when he grabbed my ankle again, and I fell down, again.

"Not so fast." He said with a smirk.

"How rude." I said smiling. I got his hold off of my ankle and tried to reach the top when he grabbed a hold of my arm making me lose my balance and crashing into him which made us tumble all the way down the hill.

"Hey Ashy-boy, I thought to win you had to reach the top not the bottom." Gary yelled.

"Whatever." Ash managed to say while rolling down the hill. After at least 30 seconds of rolling we came to a stop at the foot of the hill but I ended up on top of him.

"Umm..." I said embarrassed by our current situation. I felt my cheeks heating up. I knew I was blushing.

"Ummm..." Was all he could say too. I had to obtain an urge to just kiss him right there. I just stood staring at him and him just staring at me when he closed his eyes, and I followed suit and our faces starting getting closer and closer. Until-

A/N Ha ha a cliffy. Have any idea what will happen? And now you know Erica's life story. I was almost in tears writing this chapter mainly when I was doing the flashback. Imagine being in Brenda's shoes then. Well anyway next chapter should be out sometime next week?? Maybe it depends now. But I will try to update as soon as possible. But, in the mean time R&R. Read and Review please.

-Oana

Thanks to the people that already reviewed the last chapter. KaterinaBeloved, and bluejay511.