Disclaimer:I guess I should make a real one, since I haven't in a while. I don't want to get sued. Eh, I'll do it later.

Author's Note: Why, hello there. You've just had the imponderable joy of reaching chapter fourteen, so that makes you like, cool, like! Thanks for putting up with my nonsense and sticking around. Will somebody remind me why I bother with A/N's and disclaimers? It's not like any of you read them. I know I don't. Hahahahaha. Whatever, go read (: It's currently 11:11 p.m. Make a wish.

"I've been thinking about you,

And how we used to be there.

Back when it didn't have to end.

We could start again."

~ Do You Remember – Jay Sean ~

The rest of the carnival swam by in a haze. I'd deleted Mia's program off my flashdrive and stuffed it in the desktop's recycling bin. Anyone who walked up to me for the Computer Club's booth program got dirty looks before they walked up to someone else. Judith was eyeing me from the corner of eye, trying to catch an explanation. I scowled at her, and she ducked her head down in embarrassment. The 3:00 bell rang and I stayed late with the Computer Club. I dismantled the tent and unhooked a few computers. Judith was approaching me with a concerned look in her eyes. I caught this and grabbed my MetroCard without bidding good-bye to my friends. I pushed open the double doors from the gym and walked down the halls sluggishly. I managed to make it to the subway before 4:00, and took the 4:03 train. I was sitting in the car, bobbing up and down in my seat over bumps in the rail. Somebody ought to get that fixed. I stared blankly at the homeless man picking his nose. The car skidded to my stop; my phone flew out of my bad to the man's feet. He reached for it, and I shook my head. I grabbed the phone and hopped off the car right before the doors closed and jetted away. I rubbed the device against my coat to wipe the snot of the screen. My fingers were unconsciously pressing the numbers for Mia's landline before I knew it.

2…1…2…5…5…5…9…0…9…2…

There were three rings in my ear before Mr. Gianini answered the phone breathlessly. I was too empty to find this awkward.

"Hey, Mr. G. Is Mia there?"

"Michael? Oh, oh. She's um, in a bit of a… well, she's not exactly… I don't know how to… Mia can't come to the phone right now. Sorry. I'll let her know you called."

"Okay."

I hung up, and trotted up to the apartment. I walked in quietly and slugged myself to my room. I went online.

FtLouie? Offline.

I sighed.

My fingers pressed numbers on my cell phone again. 212-555-9092.

"Hello? Mrs. Thermopolis?"

"Hi, Michael," she sounded worn out.

"I was just wondering, is-"

"No, sorry, Michael. She's not really up to talking to anyone right now."

"Alright, thanks anyway. Will you let her know-"

"Of course, honey," she was worried, and I could tell.

I logged off my computer and flipped over on my bed. I longed so bad for Mia to be there with me. I tried to erase the Winter Carnival from my memory but failed. I kept hearing Mia's petrified scream over and over and over again. It was like a broken record. I didn't know how long I was lying down for, or even if I fell asleep, before I reached for the phone.

2 *beep* 1 *beep* 2 *beep* … 5 *beep* 5 beep* 5 *beep*… 9 *beep* 0 *beep* 9 *beep* 2 *beep*

"Hello, Michael," Mr. Gianini answered.

"Hey, Mr. G."

He didn't say anything, so I spoke again.

"Is Mia there?"

"Um, Michael. She's actually on the fire escape. Do you have any idea as to what's going on?"

Obviously, she hadn't told anyone. I had nothing to say, other than "I freaked her out" so I chose to stay silent.

"Not sure."

"Hm."

"Do you know if she's planning on going to the dance tonight?"

"I'm not sure, but by the looks of things…" he sighed. "I think not."

"Oh."

"Sorry, Michael.

"It's alright. I'll just talk to her…" I actually didn't know when I would. She was leaving for Genovia in the morning. We'd just drift away after she got back. I felt myself taking deep breaths.

"It's okay, Mr.G." I said more to myself than him.

"I'll see you after break."

He hung up and left me with the dial tone.

I immediately dialed the ten numbers again but hung up right away. I needed to leave it. Mia was on the damn fire escape! She didn't want to talk to me. This time, I didn't fight the tears.

Author's Note: There's two chapters in one night. I hope this makes up for the weeks that I missed. I know. Screw that, it doesn't. I'd write more, but it's 11:41 p.m. And I'm exhausted. I do believe there will be only one more chapter left after this. I plan to finish it this weekend. Review, review, review. Love you!

P.S. If you caught my "CharlieIsSoCoolLike" reference in the first author's note, let me know ;).

(Charlie McDonnell is a YouTuber, but today he's been holding a 24 hour StickAid chat… and yes, I've been watching it pretty much all day. )