A/N: It's one in the morning, but I'm not tired yet so I'm doing my best to get this done with. –Sigh- Well, I'm trying.

Disclaimer/Claimer: I really don't have the time to explain everything to you people, so refer to the past chapters.

Chapter 11 – Can't Help It

I groaned and stretched my sore muscles as I awoke. I sat up and was confused to find myself on the floor, my pillow and half my blanket with me. I guess I fell out during the night, but I don't understand how I didn't feel it.

Pushing that thought aside, I got up, went through my morning routine, checked to see if the cookies were still there and left a note telling everyone not to eat them should they find them. As I walked out, finishing a piece of orange, I realized that my schedule was exactly the same every day. Maybe I should get a hobby like sewing, or listening to crappy music, or playing with matches…

Shuddering, I slapped on a smile as I walked up to Gordie and Vern. My fake smile fell when I noticed that Gordie's smile was…strange, frantic even. I tilted my heads to the side as a disturbed look took over my face.

"You okay there buddy?" His slightly widened eyes shined with more panic.

"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" Vern sighed.

"Don't bother, I kept asking him all the way here and he won't say anything else." I sighed with Vern and shrugged.

"Whatever, I'm too tired to focus anyway." We walked the rest of the way in silence.

--

The rest of the school day past by in a blur. At lunch, it was a bit quiet considering Gordie was scarring the living daylights out of everybody. Finally, I snapped.

"You!" I stood up and slammed my hands on the table in front of Gordie. Everyone watched me, unsure of what I was going to do.

"Quite frankly, you're making me nervous. So, freaky face, you're coming with me." I grabbed his sleeve and dragged him off. Once we were in a deserted hallway, I shoved him against a locker.

"What's wrong?" I asked seriously. He paused for a moment, and then sighed.

"I can't go to the party today."

"What do you mean? Did something happen?" Gordie would never not be with his friends unless something serious was going on.

"I just…can't" The look on his face made me heartbroken.

"Gordie…" We stood in silence for a few minutes. I put a hand on his shoulder.

"Take as much time as you need, okay? I'm sure everyone'll understand, sincerely." I said.

"Thanks…I'm gonna go to the nurse." I nodded as he walked off. I stood there for another minute, then sadly walked back to the cafeteria and sat at the table. I poked at my food as the others watched me curiously.

"Well? Where'd Gordie go?" Chris asked, concerned. Without looking up, I answered in a monotonous voice.

"Nurse, he doesn't feel good. I don't think he'll make it to the party later." I sipped what was left of my carton of milk.

"Aw man, this sucks." Chris was obviously disappointed. I didn't really care; since it was technically his fault Gordie was sick to his stomach every time he was with the group.

After school, I ran over to Gordie's house since he left too quickly for me to walk with him. His parents weren't home so I let myself in and ran up to his room, where of course, the door was shut. I knocked.

"Gordie, it's me. Let me in." I said gently.

I waited and was pleased when I heard him unlock the door. I opened it just in time to see him lay back down, his face buried into his pillow. I kneeled on the floor next to him.

"Come on Gordie, look at me…" Nothing.

"Gordie…" This time, he turned his head to face me.

"Talk to me." I simply said.

"About what?" He mumbled.

"Anything you want, man. I'm listening." I assured.

For the next half hour, he ranted on about how love and life wasn't fair and how everyone's going to die eventually anyway. I sat with him, and just listened. I let him get everything out, because nobody knows better than I do that bottling things up can do serious damage. Finally, it seemed he was finished, and he was already looking better than I saw him earlier. He sat back down and sighed.

"Feeling better?" I asked after a few seconds. He nodded.

"Much. Thanks." He looked up and smiled. I smiled back and patted his shoulder.

"Anytime." I looked at the clock. "I gotta get going, or I'll miss the party. You coming?" I got up and stood by the door. After a minute, he stood and flashed a big smile, for real this time.

"You know it."

--

We walked over to the tree house, myself holding the plate of cookies. When we reached the place, everyone else was already there. When Chris spotted us, I could see the relief in his face. The other three also seemed happier when they saw Gordie. This really made it worth not giving up on getting him to come with me.

"Gordie, you're feeling better?" Chris ran up, grinning.

"Yeah, a lot better." He quickly flashed a smile my way. I couldn't help but smile as I put the cookies over on a small table set up under the tree.

For the next hour, we all had a good time, talking and playing card games with the new deck Vern gave Chris. The cookies were shared with everyone (and came out fantastic, if I do say so myself), and Teddy and Leena got her older sister to patch up Chris' school bag.

Pretty soon, it was dinnertime. I invited Chris to have dinner with me; since there was no way on Earth I was going to let him go back to his hell of a house on his birthday. I asked Gordie if his parents were going to be home, and when he said no, I made him tag along with Chris and me.

"See ya!"

I waved to Teddy, Vern, and Leena as they walked home. We reached my house and I informed my parents of the situation. Not wanting my two friends to go hungry, they welcomed them to join us.

After a joyful dinner, I walked outside with them.

"So, I'll see you guys tomorrow or something?" Gordie caught the slight depression in my voice.

"Don't worry, I'll wait it out with you." Chris also remembered that Teddy and Leena were going on a date tomorrow.

"I'll come too." I smiled gratefully.

"I don't know what I'd do without you guys. Thanks." The nodded and we exchanged goodbyes. I watched them walk away.

I went back inside and shut myself in my room. Lying on my bed, I closed my eyes and screamed inside.

Why was this happening? Why couldn't I say anything before Leena showed up? Why is love so complicated? Why the hell did I love him anyway? What's so special about him?

Questions flew in and out of my mind like a flock of birds. I couldn't answer any of them. But why did I love him?

There was just something about him that grabbed me from the start. I was confused and wanted to learn more about him. He was like a complicated, but addicting puzzle. I was determined to solve it, whether it take a day, or fifty years.

I guess I just can't help it.

--

A/N: OMFG! –Dies- This took like, two hours and it's still so short! Ugh.