Jack and Rose slowly began to make their way back to the camp, where the eventually found the littluns and Piggy excitedly munching on pieces of meat. Ralph was off to the side, staring out over the ocean. A littlun ran up to Rose and flung his arms around her waist.

"Thank you for killing the pig!" he giggled. "It's so yummy!"

Rose smiled at him and patted the top of his head before he ran off to go sit with his friends.

She looked around at the faces of the littluns, trying to put a name to each of them in her head. She suddenly realized that Simon was nowhere to be found. She scanned the crowd again frantically, to make sure she hadn't skipped over him. Realizing that he really was not there, she made a quick, sharp movement that she hadn't meant to make. Jack slowly turned and stared at her.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Simon's gone!" Rose started to panic. That kid could be anywhere. He had a tendency of wandering off. What if he had gotten lost and passed out? What if he was hungry? What if he was thirsty? All the terrible possibilities started flying through her mind.

"You know he's fine, right?" Jack said, trying to calm the increasingly frantic Rose. "The animals here aren't dangerous. He's probably just climbing some rocks."

She was not placated. "Rocks? He could fall and die!"

"Nobody's going to die, Rose," Ralph said, rolling his eyes as he chewed on some meat. "I won't let them."

"You can't see him, though." A moment of silence passed. "If you two are going to be useless, I'm going out on my own. I don't care if I die. I just need to make sure that Simon's safe." Although none of the boys thought she was serious, Rose started jogging down the beach towards an opening into the forested area. Ralph saw this as an opportunity and quickly ran after her. Jack glared and ran after Ralph.

Rose could hear the boys walking behind her, but she chose to ignore it until they said something to her.

"Rose! Wait up!" Ralph yelled. Rose stopped in her tracks and turned around.

"Neither of you are wanted or needed. So go away." she turned once again and started walking. She could hear the footsteps behind her. She didn't stop walking this time, but called out. "Are you fo-"

"I'm not kidding!"

"Shut up!" she yelled. "Simon needs my help."

"You don't even know what's out there!" Ralph exclaimed.

"You could fall, too," Jack said.

"I don't care," she hollered, and dashed into the dark forest.

"If you die, it's your fault," she heard Ralph trail off as she ran. She didn't care about herself dying. She only cared about Simon. At this point, he could be hurt - or dead.

"Simon! Simon, where are you?" She imagined that the forest would be crawling with creepy bugs and birds - but the silence (except for the occasional rustling of the leaves) was even more menacing. Darkness surrounded her. "Simon, this isn't funny. I'm scared."

"He can't see the way your eyes will light up when you smile

He never noticed how you stop and stare whenever he walks by"

She sighed with relief, but stalled as she heard his voice. She never really heard Simon sing - but she was really impressed by his voice.

"And you can't see me wanting you the way you want him

But you are everything to me"

Rose started paying attention to the lyrics, pressing her back against a tree trunk, trying not to make any noise.

"And I just want to show you, he don't even know you

He's never gonna love you like I want to

And you just see right through me but if you only knew me

We could be a beautiful miracle, unbelievable

Instead of just invisible, yeah"

Rose didn't know who Simon was singing about, but it was clear that whoever it was, he meant it. She just knew. She could hear it in his voice.

Rose slowly started to move. Plants crackled underneath her feet. Simon stopped singing, and turned around to come face to face with Rose. She gave him a gentle smile.

"That was pretty." she said.

"You think so?" he asked.

"For sure. Who's the lucky girl?"

"Well..." he said, blushing. "The thing is..."

"What? You can tell me, go ahead."

"It's just that," he stammered, "the girl is you."

If she didn't know any better, she would have laughed at his innocence. But she only chuckled.

"I really, really like you, Simon," she said. He grinned at her as if he had granted his biggest wish. "But, I don't think we can really be a couple. I'm too old for you."

"I know, but- Jack and Ralph are so mean to you! At least I'm nice."

Rose reached over and lightly kissed Simon on the forehead. "You are so sweet. And you're gonna make some girl really happy someday. It just can't be me."

But I want to make you happy!" he yelled.

"Simon, you make me happy as a friend, not, you know, a boyfriend."

"But Jack and Ralph treat you so badly!" Simon said, raising his voice.

"No they don't, Simon," said Rose. "We just fight. Fighting is normal."

Simon sighed. He wasn't a baby. He understood this concept. "I know, but it's non-stop," he said.

Rose suddenly found her temper. "Well, why do you think it's non-stop? We're on an island, by ourselves, and we don't know how to get help. We don't even know when we'll get to eat."

But you're not getting the point! We're all being so stupid! And Jack and Ralph are being mean to you for no reason!" Simon yelled.

"That's not true, Simon! Stop saying that! I'm so sick of your whining! You're the biggest crybaby I know!" Rose regretted the words the minute they came out of her mouth.

Simon was silent for a moment. He was tempted to cry, but he spoke once again. "You," he began, "are even worse than I am. All I hear is you yelling at Jack because he's stupid. I wanted to make you happy - but I know you just don't want to be happy, so that everyone can be on your side and help you."

"I-"

"I won't let you do that to me anymore. If you're going to keep being mean to everyone, I'll be mean to you."

"What are you talking about, Simon? You're being ridiculous. I know that you're jealous and that's okay. But I thought you of all people would understand."

"You're the one who doesn't understand, Rose! And it's frustrating! Just listen to you, you have no idea what you're talking about!"

"I don't have any idea what I'M talking about? Listen to yourself! You're attacking me for no reason."

"See, that's what I mean. You don't get how mean you can be."

"I can be sooo much meaner, sweetheart," she said. "I can be as bad as Jack."

"Jack's not that bad. You're worse."

"Excuse me? I think you'd better think before you open your mouth next time."

"You're just in denial. Or maybe you don't even realize how bad it gets."

"I'm not mean, Simon. As a matter of fact, I've been the only one sticking up for you these past days. Maybe you should think about that and be grateful."

"I'm grateful for that, but I wonder if you'd have to be sticking up for me if you didn't get the others started."

"It's not their fault for responding to you. You need to change the way YOU act. You faint just like a little princess, you know that?"

"Oh, but you're not mean, Rose."

"Now I'm ready to be mean, because you've gotten me started. Anyway, it's the truth, isn't it?"

"I can't help it, Rose. You know that."

"Well I could think of plenty other things you could work on. You never talk, you never pay attention to anything, you're unbelievably clumsy, and you let people walk all over you."

Oh, so that's what I am? Worthless? Let's talk about you. You're manipulative-"

"You don't even know that word yet! You're only 11 for crying out loud!"

"-snobby, snappy-"

"No, Simon, I'm confident."

"-PROUD, and - worst of all - two faced."

"Two faced? How can you say that? I have NEVER been that way-"

"Yes you have. You act nice when everyone else is around, but when you're alone you are always mean."

"That's not fair," she said. "I'm never alone. I'm always taking care of you!"

He rolled his eyes at her. "Yeah, and right now, you are being the worst."

"Yeah, well so are you. After all I've done for you, Simon-"

"You've done nothing for me."

"Shut up and let me talk. I've done everything for you. I've taken care of you, stood up for you, and I've been your only friend. And good luck finding any more friends with that attitude of yours."

"I'm done with you," said Simon.

"Fine! Go and find some new friends. Oh, that's right, you don't have any because you're a whiny, pathetic brat."

"Not as big of one as you are," he said, getting up.

"If something bad happens to you when you're away, it'll be all your fault."

"I don't think so, Rose." Simon said quietly as he walked off.

Rose realized her throat hurt from yelling as she watched him slowly start to fade away. The minute he was gone, her heart started aching, only now fully realizing the consequences of her actions. She debated whether or not to go after him.

It was too late to take back what she said - but it wasn't too late to make amends for it. She ran towards his direction before realizing that she was completely and totally lost in the forest. "Simon! I'm sorry!" she yelled, her voice weak from arguing. "Come back!" She ran in a direction that she could only hope was where Simon had gone. She called out for him a few more times before her hoarse throat gave out completely.

She slowed to a walk, navigating her way around various plants, trying not to fall. She paused, and turned in a circle, as if he might magically appear behind her. She dropped to the ground and started sobbing. She had no idea where she was, but that didn't even matter to her. She just wanted to find Simon. Rose pulled herself up again. She tried to call for Simon again - but no noise came from her mouth.

She hugged herself, trying to stay warm as the forest began to cool under the night sky - and maybe, trying to comfort her pain. She turned again and again in a circle, hoping (again) that he would appear magically. While the night descended around her, she heard strange calls from afar - ones that weren't human.

She started to shiver. It was getting darker and colder, although she was sure she wasn't shivering from the cold. Her fight with Simon ran through her head over and over, and each time she remembered herself yelling hurtful words at him, she started crying harder. She kept turning until she felt like the world was spinning around her and trying to throw her off.

She fell face first into the ground, her tearful face slamming into the grass. Wrapping her arms around herself, she weeped quietly - until she felt something kick her lightly.

Rose lifted her head. "Simon...?" she mouthed.

"A-are you okay? I'm sorry."

Rose stumbled up, wrapped her arms around Simon tightly, and cried until she was gasping for breath. She pulled away and looked at him. "You scared me." she said.

"I know. I'm sorry," he replied.

"It's okay. I'm sorry too. I didn't mean what I said."

"I didn't either."

"Except I said worse things. I'm so sorry. You know those things aren't true, right?"

Simon hesitated. "Yeah, I guess."

"It's not 'you guess,' it's that you aren't. You have to know that if you want to be special. You have to know that if you want to love someone."

He hesitated again before speaking. "...You're right."

Rose felt her heart breaking. Simon was so insecure as it was, and no doubt she had made it worse. She was trying her best to reverse the damage, but she worried that it was too late. But the genuine smile on his face told her that he had already forgiven her - and, she was able to forgive herself. "Come here." They hugged each other. "Let's not fight like that again. Okay?"

"Okay," he said.

"And I'll try not to fight with Jack, either," she laughed.

"Alright."

They started making their way back to camp, walking silently, listening to sticks and leaves crunching beneath their feet. Rose started thinking about Jack and Ralph, realizing that they must be worried about her.

When they finally made it back to camp, it was dark. Everyone was asleep except for Jack and Ralph, who were sitting side by side, mumbling soft words to each other and nervously twirling their hands in their laps.

She looked - no, stared - at them. Why were they so worried?

"She's here," Ralph whispered.

Jack stood up. "Rose! You're alright," he said, breathing with relief.

"Well, yeah. And Simon's alright, too."

"I can see that."

"Yeah," said Simon. He hadn't really dared to speak to Jack until this point.

"Everyone was worried about you," Jack said. "Even I was."

"I appreciate that." Simon said, offering a small smile.

"Except I'm sure you can take care of yourself." Jack put his attention back on Rose, smiling to himself about having snuck in the last word.

"I tried," said Rose, playing into his little act.

"Was there anything out there?"

She thought back to those terrible moments when she was lost in the forest, and remembered the strange noises from afar. "Well, I heard some weird things while I was out there..."

"Probably just a bird," he said. "We don't totally know what's out there."

"No, it sounded different than that."

"You were probably just hallucinating. You were worried, weren't you?"

"Well, yes, but-"

"So don't worry about it."

Rose tilted her head to the side and squinted at Jack.

"Are you calling me crazy?" she questioned him.

"I never said that. I just-"

"Well you sure implied it," she said. "Don't tell me what to worry about and what not to worry about."

There's nothing to worry about, though. So don't worry."

She huffed. "Fine."

"Okay."

Somewhat wary, Simon stepped in. "I'm ready to go to bed, guys. How about you?"

"Yeah," Ralph said instantly. "I'm tired of- I'm tired."

"I'm going to stay out for a few minutes. I need some space in my head." Rose said.

"I'll stay out too." Jack said quickly.

"Okay, goodnight." Simon said, flinging his arms around Rose.

She squeezed him tightly.

"Night, sweetheart."

Simon scurried off into one of the shelters. Ralph headed in the direction of the same shelter.

"Goodnight, Ralph." Rose said quietly.

"Goodnight." Ralph said without turning around.

"Alright," Rose said awkwardly.

A moment of silence passed before Jack spoke. "Hey, sorry about acting like-"

"It's okay," Rose said quickly. "I think I was a little crazy. I was worried about Simon. Maybe I was just imagining things."

"You might not have been."

"I hope I was."

"I hope so too, but we still need to make sure everything's okay."

"Well maybe tomorrow we'll-" Rose trailed off. She suddenly felt weak and exhausted, and had no desire to talk. Something made her want to stay outside with Jack, though. She plopped down in the sand near the water, letting the waves gently splash her feet as they came in. Jack followed her lead.

"We'll what?"

"I don't know." Rose sighed and squirmed about in the sand, trying to get comfortable.

"Oh."

"I guess we'll-we'll have to look around," she continued, the waves washing her toes. "But we-"

"We what?"

"We can't be fighting. You know how we do."

Jack sighed harshly. "Why? Because Simon says?"

"No, because I'm not comfortable with it. Neither one of us likes it when it happens - and we sure don't like it once it's over."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. But none of the fights would happen if it weren't for Ralph and Simon."

"Hey, don't put the blame on them. Most of the time it's your- our fault."

Jack was silent, and for a moment Rose was afraid she may have upset him.

"I guess so." Jack muttered.

"Granted, I do some bad stuff, too," Rose whispered.

Jack said nothing, and gave her a swift kiss on the cheek. She giggled. "I guess we're both a mess."

"Yeah, I guess we are." They stayed where they were - not talking, simply looking at one another, and knowing that they had something special.

Just as they began to appreciate the moment, they heard two voices singing from afar.

"Everybody's laughing in my mind,

Rumors spreading 'bout this other guy," sang one voice.

The other voice came in. "Do you do what you did when you

did with me?

Does he love you the way I can?

Did you forget all the plans

that you made with me?

'cause baby I didn't!"

The voices joined together. "That should be me,

Holdin' your hand,

That should be me

Makin' you laugh,"

"That should be me

This is so sad

That should be me

That should be me"

Rose cringed suddenly at realizing that she knew those voices. She slowly turned to see Ralph and Simon standing at a distance, watching and singing. Jack looked like he was ready to kill someone.

Their two voices continued.

"That should be me

Feelin' your kiss

That should be me

Buyin' you gifts

This is so wrong,

I can't go on,

Till you believe that

That should be me"

"That should be me,

Yeah,

You said you needed a little time

For my mis-"

"Shut it, you two!" shouted Jack, enraged by their singing.

"What?" said Simon.

"It's just that we know the truth. That Rose shouldn't be with you," Ralph spat.

Jack spat right back at him. "Not the right time to say that, Ralphie."

Rose stared. Were the boys really this concerned about her relationship?

"I'll say it anytime I want, Jack. In case you hadn't realized, I'm chief. I can do what I want."

"And I'm head choirboy! I can sing C sharp!"

"Oh, so what? Nobody cares about you and your stupid C sharp!"

"Rose does, and apparently she cares about me and my C sharp a whole heck of a lot more than you!"

"Hey guys, am I the only one who's actually concerned about Rose's well-being?" Simon piped up.

"Shut up, Simon." Jack spat at him.

Ralph glared at Simon - telling him the same thing, in fewer words. "Alright," the boy said, quietly.

"How sad! You get to push people around," Jack said, mocking Ralph with a whiny tone. "How tough is your life! You deserve Rose, don't you!"

"And how sad for you! Being the hunter and being strong. I'm sure Rose just LOVES what a jerk you are!"

"Look, guys-" Rose tried to start.

"Shut it, Rose. It's obvious you can't make the right choice. So we have to make it for you," Ralph barked.

Rose stood up and walked closer to Ralph.

"You're not going to make any choice for me. In case you hadn't noticed, I'd made my choice, and didn't ask for your opinion." she said, feeling the need to defend herself.

Jack stepped up behind her.

"Yeah, she-" he began.

Rose gave Jack a slight push backwards.

"Shut up. I don't need you talking right now either."

"You know guys, I-" Simon was cut off by Jack.

"I thought I told you to shut up!"

"And I thought I told you to shut up!" Rose said. "I don't like the way you're talking to him. Simon may be the only guy on this island I can actually stand at the moment."

"Oh, okay. Then how about you go date him?" Jack snapped.

"Maybe I will!"

"Really?" said Simon, hopeful.

"We've gone over this, Simon. What I mean is that I'd rather be dating anyone else - even Piggy - than you two." They gaped at her.

"You're exactly what's wrong with this island," she continued. "You can never agree on anything! Ralph gets to be leader? Well, Jack wants to lead, too! Jack gets the girl? Ralph thinks he deserves her more! If you two don't stop, I'll bet you that this WHOLE ISLAND will implode on itself. None of us will make it if you two do not STOP IT."

It was silent for a moment. They boys stood and let her words sink in. Simon was the one to break the silence. "Hey Rose. Have you ever thought that maybe you shouldn't be dating anyone? I mean, look at us. We're on a deserted island. We may never get home. And you're worried about dating?"

"I-" Rose almost shot back an insult automatically on habit, but she softened at seeing Simon's face and realizing who she was talking to. She desperately wanted to say something, to be the wise older sister figure and have the answer for him. But she didn't.

"See? That's exactly it. There's no reason to be dating anyone. Even me," he laughed. "It'll just make everyone even crazier than they already are."

"Well- I've made my mistakes," she said. "But now that I've made them, I'll stick to them. You can't decide whether I should date you or date no one. At least I know what I'm doing." It wasn't as harsh as what she'd said in the forest - still, she felt the pangs of regret.

"Rose, that doesn't make sense. You can't just 'stick' with your mistakes. You need to fix them instead." Simon said.

"Simon, stop it. There isn't a moment I don't wish I hadn't made that choice. But I have now, so-" Rose caught herself as she realized what she was saying, but by then it was already too late.

"Rose, that doesn't make sense. You can't just 'stick' with your mistakes. You need to fix them instead." Simon said.

"Simon, stop it. There isn't a moment I don't wish I hadn't made that choice. But I have now, so-" Rose caught herself as she realized what she was saying, but by then it was already too late.

"Really, Rose? Really?" said Jack, obviously hurt. "Because I've never regretted our relationship for one second."

"No- That's not what I meant-"

"It is what you meant, though, isn't it? I've made you miserable, haven't I."

"No! No, you haven't! Simon is the one who said we're a mistake."

"Well, you agree with him, right?"

Rose was silent for a moment.

"I never said that." she said quietly.

"Yes you did! You just said exactly that!" Jack yelled.

"Oh, shut up. I didn't mean it that way and you know it!"

"Maybe you should shut up! Because the more you say, the more stupid you sound."

"Jack, remember what we said? About not fighting anymore?"

"Yeah. And you started it. You broke the rule."

"There was never a rule, Jack," she huffed. "It was just a guideline. It-"

"A guideline that YOU need to follow. I didn't start this. You did."

"Oh, that was not a good thing to say, Jack."

"Oh yeah? And what's gonna happen? What are you going to do?"

"I-" Rose stopped. She searched her brain for a good comeback, but found nothing.

"Exactly. There's nothing you can do, so just shut up."

"That's it. I'm done. With you. With the hunting group."

"You can't be serious," he laughed.

"Yes, I am. I'm sick of you blaming me for everything."

"You're not going to do that. You're too weak alone."

"Who says I'll be alone?"

"Who are you going to be with? Ralph? May as well be alone in that case. In fact, you're better off without him."

"Well, that's true. But I could make my own group."

"With who?"

"W-With, you know, Simon, and-"

"And who? Some littluns? You wouldn't last a day. I'm the reason that you haven't died yet."

"I-" she paused. "You're right."

"Hey, if you make a group with me does that mean we're dating?" Simon piped up.

Rose slowly turned around and stared at Simon. She looked at him for a long while before saying anything.

"You're kidding me, right?"

Simon shifted a little. "Uh, yeah, heh, I was just kidding."

Rose continued to stare at him. "Good. Because I'm not in the mood for it anymore. All of you need to go back to sleep. I'm tired of everyone."

"Except Jack," Simon blurted out.

"Go to sleep. Now."

Ralph, looking exhausted, turned around, and made his way into one of the shelters. Jack pushed past Rose lightly and went into a different shelter. Simon stayed standing, looking at Rose with his sweet innocent eyes. Rose softened a bit.

"C'mon, kid. Let's go to bed."

She stepped forward, put her hand on his shoulder, and they went towards the shelters, where most of the boys had been up listening to the arguments.

When they entered the shelters, Rose overheard the boys whispering to one another. They were afraid that she was going to go away - and they were afraid that she would be mad at them, too. "I'm fine," she said, and the boys stopped talking. "And so is everyone else."

One of the boys jumped up. "But- you said that you weren't-"

"That's not true anymore. I was just angry."

"But-"

"Please just go to sleep."

Rose flopped onto the ground and closed her eyes, pretending to be asleep. Soon enough, the boys one by one started to go to sleep as well, until Rose was the only one left awake. Her thoughts soon put her to sleep as well