Okay everyone. When I updated chapter 6 I was under the impression that I would also update this chapter the same night. Little did I know that my parents wanted to take advantage of their built in babysitter aka. Me! Well I finally was able to finish it tonight. Hope you like it! 3

Williamstown: Part II

"Dude, relax. She'll get here." said Sam, yanking me back into my seat. I never knew you could pace while sitting down, but somehow I was accomplishing that. Paul and Sam convinced me to go to the stands instead of waiting for Tally by her bus. They wanted to make sure we got good seats and my presence would ensure that.

"I know." I relented gazing around. At last, I saw Audubon trekking their way up towards the stands. "Do you think you guys can get rid of Jeremy again?"

"Um, I think we pulled our best one last week, he probably won't go for anything this time." stated Paul. I frowned.

"Why don't you just go down and pretend that you're friends with that kid you were talking to last time?" asked Sam.

"Hmm, that is actually a good idea. I wonder if Rob would go with it though. It would look pretty ridiculous if he didn't." I mused. As Audubon took their seats, I saw Tally and Jeremy sit near the bottom. Rob took the spot right above them, an empty spot to his right.

Perfect.

"I'll be back." I announced to Sam and Paul, making my way towards Rob. Tally and Jeremy were not talking. Jeremy kept his arm possessively around her waist. It almost looked like he was making her lean on him. I landed into the seat, making as much noise as possible.

"Hey Rob, how are you? Remember me from Tall Pines Day Camp?" I practically yelled, making both Jeremy and Tally turn around. Rob was staring at me as if I was from another planet. Come on Rob. I accentuated my eye contact, making my eyes go wider. He faked comprehension. There you go.

"Oh yeah, how ya' doing?" he asked enthusiastically. Tally was completely perplexed. No doubt, she knew for certain that Rob did not go to Tall Pines ever in his life.

"You know him?" Jeremy snarled towards Rob. I decided that it would be best if I answered.

"Yeah. We worked together over the summer." I said. Tally was going to say something them but I talked before she could.

"Oh hey, Rob told me about you. You must be Tally, right?" I asked. Please go with it Tally.

"Um cool?" was all she could muster in her confusion.

"My name is Drew. I'm in the…" I started.

"Clearview drum line." finished Jeremy a huge scowl on his face, much to my delight. I smiled.

"Who are you?" I asked, fully aware that not knowing him is a direct insult, especially since he is the head drummer.

"I'm Jeremy, first snare." He snapped. I saw Rob snicker out of the corner of my eye.

"Oh really? I guess we'll see you at the Drum Off then?" I asked innocently.

"You can bet your ass that we will." He fumed. I am so enjoying this. Jeremy whips around and stares at the field. Rob and Tally both look at me questioningly. I just shrug, knowing we couldn't talk here. God, did Tally look good tonight. Her eyes shimmered in the stadium lights. She seemed paler though, maybe it was just the lighting.

I turn to my pretend summer co-worker, knowing that it would seem weird if we didn't talk.

"So, how is…everything?"

"Um, fine I guess. Classes are easy; I'm definitely coasting this year." He laughed. I motioned towards Tally. "Um…well…that's a little complicated. You should find out for yourself on that topic. How's school for you?" he added quickly.

"Good. My favorite class by far is International Relations." I answered.

"Is that about foreign affairs and shit?"

"You'd think, but no. We only talk about philosophy stuff." I answered, noticing Tally concentrating on our conversation. "Like once," I continued, "my teacher asked us a question that practically made me re-evaluate the way I think. She asked, what comes first, the egg or the chicken."

He sat there thinking about it. "Wow, I never thought of that…"

"The chicken." Piped Tally in that adorable velvety voice. I smiled, thankful that we could talk innocently this way.

"But then where does the chicken come from?" I challenged.

"From God. It's just like how humans came to be." She said.

"Well wouldn't that mean that Adam and Eve started as eggs?" I answered, fully aware that I made no sense. She laughed and let it go. "Because you know all humans start with an egg."

"True." She lamented. I could tell Jeremy was trying hard to ignore the conversation.

"Hey Jeremy, what do you think?" I ask inwardly laughing.

"I think that it is a pointless question that you learned in a pointless class." He fumed. Hmm. That was more hostile than I expected.

"Tally, can you get me a drink?" he asked. It was obvious that he was not paying for it.

"I only have fifteen dollars to last the whole week." She admitted.

"Fifteen dollars? Where so you put all the money that you get at that book store that you said you had to work at?"

"I put it in the bank for college." She answered sheepishly.

"Well, it shouldn't cost that much anyway. I want a coke." He finished. She sighed and got up. What an asshole. Rob and I watched her walk down the bleachers and out towards the food stand. Rob stared to get up, no doubt to follow her and pay, when I grabbed his arm.

"I'll go." I whispered under my breath. "Well I'll see you later Rob." I finished aloud. Surprisingly, he smiled and nodded his head as he sat back down. I made sure to go the opposite way out of the stands.

Φ

I made my way towards the food stand wishing I could have talked to Drew more. Unfortunately, the lines were unbearably long. I glanced back at the bleachers as I took my spot in line. I wonder what they're talking about now. I really wanted to know what Rob thought was so complicated. The line slowly trudged forward, inch by inch.

"Hey there." A soft velvet voice said from behind me. I turned and saw Drew, a huge smile on his face.

"So, you work at Tall Pines?" I asked laughing. He chuckled too.

"Well, I really did work there this summer, but Rob didn't, that's for sure."

"Then why make up a story?"

"Well, that way I could talk to you. Remember, Jeremy didn't see me last week." He answered.

"Why don't you want him to see that we talk?"

"Well, you should know that he's not really a person you want to cross. He's very snappy."

"Yeah, he is." She replied, almost to herself. We actually were getting close to the counter now. Time really does fly when you are enjoying yourself. I reached into my pocket to get out my money. Suddenly, a hand grabbed mine, a warm and strong hand. I looked up and saw Drew's incredulous face.

"Did you think I came here just to talk? Put your money away." He said still holding my hand. I looked down at our embraced limbs. He let go quickly, obviously embarrassed.

"Oh no, I'll pay."

"We're not all assholes like your boyfriend over there." He stated as he took out a twenty-dollar bill. "So what do you want?" he asked, as we got even closer to the counter.

"I don't want anything." I said quickly.

"Well I'm buying three drinks, one for asshole, one for me, and one for you. Do you really want me to spend my money on a drink you don't want?" he asked. I sighed knowing I was being defeated.

"How about we split the price?" I asked, hopefully. I hate being this dependant.

"Not a chance." he answered.

"Next dear." Called one of the venders. Drew looked at me expectantly.

"Fine. Sprite." I relented. He smiled and turned to the clerk.

"I'll have a coke and two sprites." he asked her, still looking at me.

"Three dollars." She responded. They exchanged money and then three cold beverages. I had to admit that I was very thirsty. I reached for the coke and a sprite only to be rejected.

"You can have your drink, but I'll carry this." He required. I took the drink and popped it open.

"Why are you so nice you me?" I finally asked.

"How couldn't anyone be nice you?" he asked surprised.

"I don't know." Was all I could manage. If only you knew, I thought. As we approached the stands, Drew handed me Jeremy's drink.

"I'll see you on the other side." He said, giving my arm a soft yet irresistible squeeze before he jogged towards the back of the stands. I sat down next to Jeremy and handed him his drink.

"Took you long enough." He muttered grabbing the can. I turned and noticed that Rob was no longer behind me.

I jogged under the stands looking forward to seeing her again. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a dark figure waiting under the bleachers. I stopped and looked to see who it was, and find out what the hell they were doing. Suddenly, the figure walked toward me as Rob exited the shadows.

"I thought you would go around this way." He said softly.

"Um yeah." I replied. What did he want?

"Did you ask her if she was okay?" he asked.

"Oh damn. No. It's so easy to lose track of things around her." I answered with a smile that was not returned.

"Well, I guess I should tell you myself then. I think you should know since she won't let me help her." He mused sitting on the ground and resting his head on one of the bleacher poles. I joined him and waited for him to continue.

"Is something wrong with her?" I ask after waiting a few moments.

"I'm not sure what's wrong exactly but it's something big. She's been my…best friend since third grade and it's torturous to watch her go through what ever it is that she's going through." He took a deep breath. "She hasn't been herself for awhile; well not until she met you." I was taken aback. Did she feel strongly about me too? "Last weekend she seemed to glow in happiness," he continued, "well at least, it was the happiest I've seen her all year. What ever you're doing, it must be good for her. That's why I need your help."

"What do you want me to do?" I asked, intrigued.

"Well, something besides you also happened that weekend. Something terrible." He said softly. "I haven't the slightest clue what though, but I know that she was affected drastically."

"How do you know?" I asked. He turned away, reluctant to say something. I looked at him expectantly.

"She…she's been," he stopped, putting a hand to his face, "She was cutting her wrists." He finished in a whisper.

"WHAT?!" I screamed.

"SHHH!" he yelped putting a hand over my mouth. "I found out and made her promise not to do it again. I think you can help her keep her promise." He said removing his hand. I was breathing hard now. How could she ever even consider harming herself let alone remove herself from the world, from my world. She was suicidal and, apparently, I was her only available therapy.

Once I calmed down, I spoke again.

"Where can I talk to her without worrying about asshole interrupting?"

"Asshole? Oh, Jeremy, right. Well, she goes to church every Sunday and you can bet that Jeremy doesn't. I would go too, but I have work, which also means that she needs a ride." He said. "Will you help me?"

"Of course. For her I will." He smiled with relief. I suddenly wondered if Tally's suicide attempts had anything to do with the bizarre pain in my wrists. Our connection might be more than just physical interaction. Rob told me where her church was before walking away. As I watched his retreating figure I noticed that he was holding his shoulders and head up straighter than I've seen him display before. It was as if an enormous obligation had just been lifted off his shoulders.

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