A/N: I am SOOOOOOOO sorry that I haven't updated in like two weeks! I had another minor case of writer's block but it's cleared thankfully! And I'm sorry to say that once the school year starts for me ((which is in less than 3 weeks)) my updates will be more infrequent! But please don't throw the towel in if I haven't updated in a few weeks because I will really be trying to ((it's just that I have one AP course and like four honors classes to deal with)). Thanks so much for all the feedback you guys have given! I can't say how much it means to me! Well, here's chapter 26!

Chapter 26: Standing Alone

Corrine had not realized how much she had missed being home. It had been close to two weeks since she had come home for winter holiday.

Although she hated to admit it, she had become more lethargic. Sleeping in later and more often, lack of appetite, and balance problems caused both her parents and herself to worry.

She began to pull away from the world again, becoming once more a recluse and introvert.

Corrine sat in the living room, curled up in a cozy armchair next to a blazing and comforting fire. Through the giant picture window in the living room, she could see that everything was covered in a fine layer of snow.

Her knees drawn to her chest, she was once again writing in her little leather-bound book. She heard the phone ring a few times before her mother answered. Leaning back, she rested her head as drowsiness overcame her, lulling her to sleep.

"Corrine, honey? It's Marshall. He wants to talk to you…"

Her mother entered the living room to see Corrine had dozed off and was sleeping peacefully. She smiled as she watched her daughter sleep. She picked the phone back up.

"I'm sorry, Marshall. She's asleep. Can I have her call you back later?"

"Yeah, no problem, Mrs. Baxter. Thanks."

"Alright, sweetie. Bye."

As she hung up, Corrine's mother glanced back down at her daughter. She crossed the room to grab a throw blanket. Returning, she covered Corrine and tucked her in. Placing a kiss on the crown of her head she quietly left the room.

Josie lay on her back, staring at the ceiling. Sounds of laughter, light conversation, and the clink of champagne glasses faintly floated upstairs, becoming muted and muffled by the closed bedroom door.

It was, of course, Kelly and Noel having a good time while Josie laid forgotten upstairs.

With a sigh she rolled over onto her stomach and grabbed her phone off the nightstand. She lay on her stomach trying to recollect what all her friends were up to today.

Let's see…Marshall and Corrine are out for the day, Vaughn's gone with his parents to his grandparents' house, and Lucas…

As far as she could remember, he wasn't busy today.

"Might as well try…" she muttered as she dialed his cell number. It rang three times before someone finally answered.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Lucas? This is Josie."

"Oh, hey, Josie. What's up?"

Josie could faintly hear in the background Emma, Lucas' five year-old sister, chattering amiably.

"Oh, just completely bored out of my mind. Sounds like Emma's in a good mood," noted Josie. Lucas laughed on the other end.

"Yeah, maybe I shouldn't have given her those Christmas cookies…"

This time it was Josie who laughed.

"Just maybe. But I was wondering if you weren't busy, if you wanted to go do something."

"Sure. What are you up for?"

"Right now, anything sounds better than listening to Z and my mom flirting," Josie replied with a somewhat disgusted tone. Lucas laughed.

"Well, we could go see a movie…or I heard that outdoor rink opened up…"

"Ice skating sounds good!" answered Josie with noted enthusiasm.

"Alright. Then I'll swing by and pick you up in an hour?"

"Sounds good. See you then."

"Alright. Bye, Jos."

"Bye."

As soon as Josie had hung up, the most unsuspected and unlikely question popped into her head.

"What am I going to wear?"

It was a few days before Christmas Eve. It seemed like the whole world was busy with preparations for the holidays.

Marshall stood on the back deck of his house. Everything was covered in a pristine white layer of snow. So perfect. So pure.

His hands were stuffed inside the pockets of his jacket and every breath he exhaled immediately became condensed and visible.

Behind him, inside his warm and inviting home, was his family. Bustling about in preparations for Christmas, laughing and smiling. Grant had even come home for the holidays with his fiancée Amy.

But right now, Marshall didn't want the warmth and love of his family. Instead, he wanted to be outside in the harsh, biting cold. Where bitter reality kept him in check.

Hearing the glass doors leading to the deck slide open and close, he remained motionless. Snow on the deck crunched beneath the feet of the stranger as they approached.

"It's really nice out here."

Grant Wheeler was making a pitiful attempt at breaking the ice. Marshall just remained silent and morose.

"Listen, Marsh. Everyone's been worried about you. Especially Mom…I know what's happening now…is tough. For the both of you. But moping around isn't going to help either of you."

Marshall still remained silent, hating every word that Grant had said but knowing deep down that what he had said was true. An awkward silence was drawn out between them.

"Why do things like this happen to people who don't deserve? They haven't done anything to deserve somethine this terrible," spoke Marshall bitterly. Grant sighed.

"I don't know, Marshall. Sometimes things happen for reasons beyond our reason."

"But…why Corrine? Why this? I still…can't accept it."

Grant turned to look at his little brother. Marshall was normally a carefree and upbeat person. But now, after what had happened to Corrine, he had changed.

He was a lot quieter now and more introspective. Visibly, you could see the mental and emotional strain it had taken on him, although he tried his best to mask it. All in all, he had been affected greatly.

"Do you really love her that much?" Grant asked curiously. For the first time, Marshall turned to face his brother and meet his gaze.

"If I tell you this, will you promise not to tell anyone?"

Marshall's expression was serious. Slightly taken aback by his graveness, Grant just nodded.

"I asked her to marry me the night before winter break."

Grant just stared at his little brother, completely in shock. After taking a moment to recover, Grant spoke up.

"Did she say yes?"

"No. For obvious reasons," replied Marshall, referring to her illness.

"God, Marshall. I didn't know you were that serious."

Marshall lapsed into another silence as his gaze traveled back out past the deck into the woods.

"Too bad you can't change the past," Grant pondered aloud.

"Yeah," Marshall replied absent-mindedly. As Marshall lapsed into another period of silence, Grant was unsure of what to do. So he clapped his brother on the back, resting his hand on his shoulder.

"If you…ever need to talk…"

"Thanks," finished Marshall. Grant left him and headed to the door, sliding it open and slipping in, the smell of sweets and the sounds of holiday music greeting him.

Looking back, he saw his brother continue to stare out, wrapped up in his own thoughts. Standing alone.

Frustrated thoughts had been running through his mind incessantly. He whipped out his cell phone and called Corrine. It rang continuously until it finally reached her voice mail.

Hey, this is Corrine. Sorry I'm not here right now. But if you leave a message, I'll get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks.

Marshall sighed as he heard the beep signaling him to begin his message.

"Hey, Corrine. It's Marshall. I was wondering if you wanted to meet up later today. Well, I guess call me back when you get this." He hung up dejectedly.

Wonder where she is. She's always home and always answers her cell.

His fingers automatically dialed her home number without a thought, almost as if someone else was dialing it for him. It kept ringing just like it had when Marshall had tried calling Corrine's cell.

Hey, you've reached the Baxter residence. Sorry we're not able to take your call. Please leave a message and we'll get back to you. Thanks.

The answering machine beeped. Marshall frowned as he hung up. He began to think of places where they might possibly be. Deep in thought, he nearly fell over when his phone rang.

"Hello?" he asked hesitantly.

"Marshall? This is Mrs. Baxter." She sounded stuffy and slightly choked up. Panic started to make its way into Marshall's system.

"What's wrong?"

"Marshall, we're at the hospital right now. She's not doing well."

Her mother could barely choke out the words. Marshall paled as he began to head towards the door.

"I'll be there as soon as I can."

He hung up as he raced into the house, past his confused family, and outside to his car. Jumping in, he hastily started the engine, silently hoping and praying.

Oh God, Corrine. Please be alright.

A/N: There you go! I know it's a crappy chapter for how long you've had to wait! But I promise the next chapter will be better! This was a bit more of a filler chapter in my opinion. Frankly, I don't like this much but it will have to do until I get my next one up. I promise my writing will, hopefully, get better in these last couple of chapters. Rate and review guys! I would love some feedback and any constructive criticism you might have! Thanks bunches!