so, yesterday was my birthday! 16th to be exact! =D =D it was AWESOME, the best yet! it involved sitting at home writing, reading other fanfics, my friends coming to my house, us going to wal mart for candy with my friend in the buggy, us taking random pictures, going to the marine recruters (semper fi!), going to dollar general, getting more candy and mountain dew, and coming back to find a huge cookie cake! haha. we haven't exactly gotten to that yet...lol. sour skittles, sour gummy worms, skittles, HUGE bag of sour patch kids, twizzlers (bleh XP), reese's, rainbow nerds, sour and puckeroom gummies...not exactly something you can eat with cookie cake. haha.

so, i don't really like doing this, but it's REALLY important to me...i really need reviews and responses to my story Arizona: Part I: Second Chance, so...if any of you aren't doing anything, and you're bored, could you possibly do me the favor and see what you think?

anyways...here's the next chapter! there will DEFINITELY be a chapter to go along with the ending! hahahahahaha. lol. you'll see. (= the song in chapter 32 was Without You by Eowyn. that's an amazing band, but i've never heard that particular song. lol. well, please read, review, and enjoy!

Now take my hand
And we will run away
Down to this place that I know
How did this night become the enemy
It's over. it's over. it's over.

Lay down with me
Let me hold you
Baby just breathe
This is ending and we will get through eventually

Said they wanted change
I hope that
You remain the same

"You know, the funny thing about life is how easy it is to get caught up in, and how quickly it goes sometimes, and how slowly it goes others," Alex ranted on outside of my door, making me even more confused than I was when he started. "Life is like a pack of gum. I've yet to figure out why."

My eyebrows rose as a giggle escaped between my lips, but I let him go on without interruption, because this was slightly entertaining, really true, and funny.

I even laughed a little at the beginning, like I just did.

"Never give up on someone you can't go a day without thinking about," he went on, like I knew he would. He's been bouncing around subjects for some reason, but he's just going on and on and on. "And, hey. Be optimistic. All the people you hate are eventually gonna die."

That was true.

"Sometimes, all it takes is another chance to get things right. As we grow up, we learn that the one person who was never supposed to let you down probably will. You'll have your heart broken more than once, most likely, and it'll hurt worse every time. You'll break hearts too. You'll fight with your best friend,"—yeah, I was—"and you'll blame your love for things that you shouldn't. You'll cry because things are going too fast, and you'll lose someone you love. So, take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt and never hurt anyone, because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. Don't be afraid your life will end; be worried about it never beginning. If you're depressed, you're living in the past. If you're anxious, you're living in the future. If you're at peace, you're living in the present, which is where you need to be."

He must've gotten tired of my lack of response, because he just sighed and got silent.

"Alex..."

"What I'm trying to get to," he said firmly, stopping me from actually responding. "Every relationship has its problems, Ari. But, what makes it perfect is if you still wanna be in it when things really suck."

I opened my door quickly, making him jump back a little in surprise. "Look, Alex, I really appreciate this and all, but I just...can you please...?"

Something in the living room caught my attention, though, something I didn't expect.

Standing in the center of the living room under the ceiling fan with a thoughtful, sheepish smile was none other than Seth himself.

I didn't freeze, though, like I thought I would, but instead, I ran over and tackled him, shocking everyone.

I stared down at him with a curious look. "You're not still mad at me? I haven't even done anything."

He laughed and shook his head. "No, Ari, I'm not. I got to thinking during football practice, which, by the way, went very terribly. This isn't like you. Then my mom came in and talked to me when I got home, after I...not important. Anyways, I realized that I should trust you, no matter what. So, I'm really sorry, Ari. Can you forgive me?"

I laughed as tears filled my eyes. "Seth, you found me kissing another guy, and you ask me if I can forgive you?"

He grinned sheepishly at me. "Yeah; guess so."

"Of course I do. Do you forgive me?"

"For what?" he asked curiously, shrugging. "Trying to set Elli's date up to fail so your brother could have her? Ari, that's not exactly something to apologize for."

My eyebrows furrowed. "How did you know that?"

"I know you," he reminded me.

"Touché."

"I love you," Nudge informed him, both of her hands covering her face as tears filled her eyes. "ZOMG! Guys, this is so cute and adorable, and aw! I mean, we all knew that she would have to find someone, but he's perfect! I mean, they've known each other two weeks...well, three now, and they're already more in love than anyone else I've ever seen! It's just…wow! I love this. Just get married already so we can keep him around here! Pretty please? Please, please, please—"

"Oh God," I interrupted before jumping up, eyes widened. "Um, sorry about that. She's..."

"I don't care, Ari," he reminded me, chuckling softly. "We know it's coming, probably sooner than we realize."

I nodded. "You're probably right."

Seth sighed. "Well, I should probably be going. My aunt, uncle, and cousin are coming back from London, and we're picking them up at the airport."

I smiled at him. "Okay."

"I've always wanted to go there!" Nudge exclaimed. "Ooh! You two should go to Paris for your honeymoon. It's so amazing."

I stared at her as Seth laughed. Her comment made Iggy, Daddy, and all of my other uncles tense up, something to be expected, since she's talking about my honeymoon, something they've all been dreading since day one.

Literally.

Seth just smiled at me, although I could tell he desperately wanted to kiss me. I wanted to kiss him too, and I really wanted him to kiss me, right there in front of all of my family.

But, I knew he wouldn't.

I guess, though, that's probably what's best, because they would murder him. So, until he's invincible, it's not really a smart idea.

Poo.

"I'll see you later."

I just nodded, smiling still. Things were…somewhat working out. For now, the most important thing was working.

Now I just had to fix this shit with Alex and Elli. He says that it'll be fine, but I have to fix it. It'll be on my mind,

He just walked out, smiling softly as he did so. Everyone watched him, some with expressions of joy and awe, some of pure anger and hatred, and finally one of just joy—Alex.

You can just guess the rest of them, though.

Momma took a deep breath. "Well, that made me realize something. I'm not exactly sure why, but it did. Alex, Ari; your father and I have to talk to you."

Daddy's eyes shot wide open, and Alex and I both sat there, staring at them in confusion.

I pursed my lips. "About?"

Daddy just moaned. "I've been dreading this day."

Holy shit. No, no! Anything but this talk!