Yay for another chapter!! You didn't think I would just give you one chapter today did you? Oh no, I'm much nicer than that. You get two! XD So enjoy, my dears!

The next few days passed almost flawlessly. Jason talked to Auntie Pam about the issue about my old friend, mother, and myself, getting her to 'think it over'. That was good enough for me, especially since the group of bullies had left us alone. For the most part.

Before we knew it though, even with occasional jibes from the little gang, Jason's birthday was upon us. On the morn of the big day for my best friend, he and I awoke early, grinning ear to ear at each other in the darkness. I climbed onto his bed and was practically bouncing with happiness; It was exciting to be there for his twelfth birthday!

"It's my birthday," He murmured with subdued glee.

"Is there something wrong with that, Jason?" I responded quietly, holding on of his larger hands in mine.

I was still shocked at how much bigger and more mature looking he was than other boys his age. Almost as if whatever awful thing had laid claim on his face and skull had also accelerated his growth. I wouldn't have been surprised if he would have grown to be more than six feet tall at the rate he was going!

"No, nothing wrong; I just can't believe that I'm getting to be so old," He said after a few moments of silence. Jason and I laughed at the idea of him being 'old', at how much of an absurd idea it was to think such a way when you aren't even half the age of your mom. He could be so cute sometimes!

We enjoyed yet another breakfast together in the mess hall, this time with no people staring like the first time going in. Ever since they saw us after that first few moments, they just accepted it in their little, juvenile minds that we were a part of the camp as well. Today was odd though, because the mean kids didn't even stare at us as they always did. They weren't even in there.

"It's odd that they're gone, isn't it?"

I looked up at Jason as he said that, my mouth full of bacon and eggs. A shrug was the only answer I gave him, along with a smile that spoke for itself. I was actually really happy that they had made themselves scarce. It helped us to just enjoy his birthday; kind of like a present.

Once my mouth was void of food for a moment, I decided to pose my usual question to people on their birthdays. "So what time were you born? Then I'll know when to really wish you happy birthday!" I spoke happily, but his face seemed to contradict my own happiness. He wasn't smiling anymore, and that worried me. Had I said something wrong?

"What's wrong, Jason?" I walked around the table to sit next to him instead of across from him.

"I don't like my birthday time. It's too late in the day… and I don't want you to not even want to wish me a happy birthday before it…" So he was all bothered by the birthday time? It was almost as if his mother's suspicions of my character had seeped into his being as well, keeping a hold over his mind. He wasn't treating me like I was going to be nice.

Not to self, I thought, talk to Auntie Pam when I get a chance.

"I'm still going to wish you a happy birthday today, Jason, but I just wanted to know the time. Cause I like to make a big deal of the exact time with people doesn't mean I don't care until then." I smiled at him as he blushed at judging me so wrongly yet again.

"I was born at 9:30 PM," He muttered, trying to smile as well, but failing miserably at his usual adorable smile. Still cute, but not quite him.

Of course, being the good friend I was, I wished him a happy birthday right then, seeing that it was only twelve hours until he was really twelve years old. He enjoyed that immensely, his gloominess leaving him alone.

At about four that afternoon, Jason's 'birthday present' was interrupted with a jerking halt. As we were walking toward the little dock we had expressed our love for another on almost a week before, we heard a small rustling. We stopped mid-step, the gang of bullies headed by the blond girl circled us within a few seconds.

"So, again we meet," She purred demurely, her pretty face displaying the cat-like smile she was so good at.

Sadly, I had nothing to say that would seem tough at that moment, so I said the first thing that came to my head. "I do believe so." How lame of a line was that? It reminded me of something that should come from a black and white melodrama. You know, the ones from the early 1900's.

"No comebacks today, little Jennifer? You disappoint me."

I bristled at her comment but said nothing in hopes of them leaving sooner. Too bad that wasn't what was to happen. If they had left, it would have been so much different for Jason and I. He and I probably would have gotten married as soon as high school was over, Auntie Pam would still be with us, and my mother would have… well, her situation would have turned out the same, I bet, but at least I would have been a bit more stable for the years to come. I wouldn't have been broken for so long.

"Well, seeing as you two have nothing to say…" The tallest of the boys stepped forward as he spoke, gripping me by the collar of my tee-shirt. He dragged me to the lake edge, the rest of the group trailing with Jason in tow. "I think we can carry on with our dealings then." That's when he bashed my head against the nearest tree.

For myself, and my sanity/tears, I couldn't put his death in here. Not in the way I thought I'd be able to earlier on. Sure I thought 'It'll be a piece of cake to kill Jason becuase I know he'll come back as that sexy hunk he is in the films' but no. Can't do it. I actually started crying just thinking of how I'd do that, so I won't even do it. :P Sorry if you were looking forward to the death scene (shame on you) but I won't/can't do it. *sobs*