CHAPTER NINE

I ended up sitting next Portman the ride home, with Fulton and Ken in the front, Adam and Charlie in the back, and Julie and Connie to our left. Apparently Connie was still in her 'fight' with Guy.

"That was an eventful weekend," I muttered, feeling my eyelids droop. Orion had kept me up half the night, lecturing me. I heard Dean laugh and I yawned, making myself comfortable on his shoulder. His arm wrapped around mine and I let my eyes slip shut. Before I knew it, I was being shook.

"Krysta," Dean whispered and I shivered, "C'mon, we're here."

"Fine," I whined, sitting up as I rubbed my eyes. I picked up the material that had fallen and realized it was Dean's, making me shiver again at the thought of me laying on him with his jacket . . . ya know what, no! I shook my head and moved to give it back to him but he shook his head.

"You're cold." Inwardly, I grinned, shrugging it on as I stood. "Everyone left a good ten minutes ago."

"Really?" I bit my lip. He nodded, guiding me out of the bus. I yawned as he pulled me towards the dorm and took my key from me, opening the door. When we got inside, I collapsed on my bed but tugged at his hand.

"What're you-?"

"Shut up, you're warm," I mumbled, pulling him down and snuggling against his body. I really didn't care how weird I was being. When I'm tired, anything happens.

"I feel so used," he chuckled and I laughed.

"You should." He pulled me closer, the covers over our bodies and I vaguely head the door open.

"What the-?"

"Shut up!" I whined, pulling the covers over my head, causing Dean to laugh, "He's warm, I'm cold. I want to sleep, either be quiet or leave."

"Jesus, that's the thanks I get for bringing up a letter." I bolted up at the word.

"Letter?" Adam nodded. "What letter?"

"This one," he held up the white envelope and I swore, "What?"

"Give it here," I stumbled out of bed, tripping over the sheets but he handed it to me as I sat cross-legged on the floor. Ripping it open, I quickly read the letter, shaking my head. "No."

"What?" Dean asked, sliding down next to me. I shook my head harder. Maybe this would rewind depending on how much of a headache I got . . . Jesus, ouch.

"No," I whispered, "He's pulling me out." Dean reached out to hug me but I ducked under his arms, running out the door. Next thing I knew, I was standing in the middle of a torn apart locker room, panting. Two guesses as to who did it. I put my money on the cookie monster . . .

"Krysta?" a voice called and I turned to see Orion, standing shocked, "What happened here?"

"Sorry," I sniffed, knowing I used the word way too much, "I'll clean it up."

"Are you alright?" concern laced his question and I forced a smile but he saw through it. We both knew he did. Sighing, I handed him the letter and his eyebrows raised dramatically. "You want to stay?"

"I guess so," I answered dumbly and he handed back the letter.

"Well obviously you do or you wouldn't care so much," he smiled and I nodded in agreement.

"It's just, this is the reason I don't have friends-."

"You hit them?"

"Well, that, and I up and move a lot. It's just hard."

"I understand." But I knew he didn't. "I'll talk to your father."

"Really?" the hope in my voice was prevalent but I didn't care how stupid I sounded. I wanted to stay.

"Really," he chuckled, "but you still have jobs to do and we need this clean by practice in, ten minutes."

"Thank you, Coach." He smiled, nodding before he left. I looked back down at the letter: 'I'm back in two days'. That meant today. "Oh God." But I shook my head, putting the letter away. Maybe Orion would fix this. Oh who was I kidding, the General was as stubborn as, well, me.

"Jesus Christ," someone muttered and I turned slightly to see Charlie, "What the hell happened?"

"Nothing, I'm cleaning it up," I said quickly, hanging the uniforms.

"This is not nothing, Krysta, what did you do?"

"Me, why do you automatically assume it's me?" I demanded and he looked away, sheepishly.

"I'm sorry, what happened?" he asked calmly.

"Well, I-."

"See!" Charlie pointed a finger at me and I growled.

"Put the finger away before I break it off." Quickly, he snatched it back and I hung the last uniform before storming out. I grabbed the broom and attacked the bleachers. Sweeping, I swear! When I looked up again, I saw Portman watching me but my eyes traveled to Charlie and my jaw tightened as we glared at each other. He was the first to turn away and my eyes were tugged back to Dean who looked confused but before I could say anything, he turned away too. "God damn it."

"Krysta," the stone cold voice made me jump up straight.

"Hello sir," I said clearly and he nodded at me to go back to work, which I did but when he left, I whimpered, flopping back, "Life is completely unfair."

"Bill," Orion's voice boomed and I resisted a flinch.

"Krysta, you ready," Adam asked and I sighed, relieved, as I nodded, "Who was that?"

"My father," I muttered.

"That sucks," he sighed and I shrugged, following him with my head down, staring at the floor. I hate being a girl.

"Krysta!" someone yelled, jumping on my shoulders but I shrugged them off, walking away, "Krysta?"

"Just leave me alone." I went up to my dorm room and yanked my suitcase out of the closet, hearing the door open.

"You're really leaving?" I heard Adam ask.

"I'm assuming."

"Well, don't. Come out tonight," he pleaded and I saw the pain that matched how I felt.

"Adam, please don't, this is already hard enough." He stared at me as I threw my clothes into my bag and the door opened again.

"What's going on?" Julie asked, looking between Adam and me, "Are you leaving?"

"Krysta?" Ken asked when I didn't answer.

"What is this?" I suddenly shouted, "A show? I'm leaving; stop looking at me like that. It was bound to happen sooner or later."

"How can you say that?" Julie demanded.

"Because it's the truth," I muttered, zipping my suitcase.

"At least let us throw you a good-bye party," Ken suggested and I smiled at the effort.

"I'd rather no one know."

"You're gonna just up and leave? Without telling everyone else?" Adam yelled, "Without telling Dean??"

"Fuck you, Adam," I screamed, "Don't you dare judge me. It's be easier this way, for everyone."

"No it wont," Julie shook her head, "You can't just run away."

"I'm not! I'm being dragged, Julie, I can't control my father."

"Why don't you talk to him," Ken was pretty much the only one not shouting.

"Because he doesn't talk, he orders, he's in the army for Christ's sake," I said, wanting to rip my hair out. Why had I done this to myself?

"Krysta," a voice barked and I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath in.

"Sir."

"You're ready," it was more a statement then a question "Downstairs."

"Yes sir," I muttered, picking up my suitcase and walking towards the door.

"Mr. Justin-."

"Adam don't," I glared at him and my father walked out the door.

"He's, is he always like that?" Ken asked and I shook my head.

"He's just angry, look, I'm sorry, okay?"

"Email," Julie said firmly and I smiled, feeling tears fill my eyes.

"I'll try."

--

Ack, it took me so long! i'm sowry!! But yeah, how'd you like it, there's like one chapter left...unless i decide to write another lol. Review!! Thanks for reading!!