Conelly had never felt so ashamed in her life, her sweet vulnerable Reggie was freely pouring her soul out at her feet but she just ran away, and didn't even bother giving her the dignity of a response. As she was sitting outside the gym listening to Reggie sob what was left of her heart out, part of Conelly wanted nothing more than to take Reggie in her arms and just hold her until she felt safe again all the while assuring her that she was here and she loved her more than anything, her own very wounded sense of self, still wouldn't let her get that intimate with anyone, so she ran, she ran all the way to the orphanage where she lived. Reggie had never been so humiliated, but at the same disgusted with herself for believing there was such a thing as true love.

"I was so stupid", she chided herself through a wave of tears that threatened to consume her. "Love is for loser's", Reggie sobbed again burying deeper in her knees. Love hadn't worked out for anyone in her family, and now Cupid's vile stings had come for her. Reggie didn't know how long she'd been crying, but she knew her mom was expecting her home, and the last thing that she wanted to do was make someone else needlessly suffer today, so she gathered what was left of her courage and made the lonely trip home. Conelly was on her bed crying and replaying Reggie's sweet words in her mind, which filled her with great joy but even greater sadness, there was a time where she absolutely longed for those words, but now so many years later, all they symbolized in her mind were a temporary fix and eventual rejection. Eighteen families eighteen have been saying those exact same words to her since she was nine, but time and time after, other kids were adopted, placed with forever families, and she was always left ALWAYS. This was a side of Conelly people rarely saw the scared little girl who was afraid of love. Her heart wanted to tell her that she could trust Reggie, that she was as different as Reggie said she herself was, but unfortunately, that was only a fraction of her broken heart. For Conelly, putting herself on the line like that simply wasn't an option anymore. Reggie had been locked in her room since she got home, it was Thursday, which unfortunately meant, she would more than likely run into Conelly tomorrow but she thanked God it was the start of the weekend anyway, Lord knew she needs it. Her mom, Kathy, and even Dustin had tried to console their ailing daughter/sister/goddaughter but nothing seemed to work. It seemed the sweet, bubbly, cheery girl they all knew and loved was had simply ceased to exist and the one person who could bring her back was also the one person who rejected her.

"Hey Carmella", Conelly flatly greeted as she passed by to get some orange juice and set down beside the caretaker.

"What's wrong dear", Carmella immediately asked her tone leaving no room for argument.

"I hurt someone today", the younger girl said tears immediately springing to her eyes, as the memory assaulted her mind once again. "She told me, she loved me, but I just ran away"

"Do you know why", the older girl questioned.

"I was scared Carmella so scared", Conelly freely sobbed burying herself in the older girl's arms, "I've heard "I love you" before and it just means rejection"

"Well do you know how you feel about your friend?", Carmella asked softly.

"I love her", Conelly admitted heartbreakingly. "But I'm afraid too. Afraid that she'll eventually leave me just like everyone else."

"What if she doesn't", Carmella asked as gently as a mother putting her baby to sleep. "You can't always fear the worst darling, and from what you've told me about your friend Reggie, she doesn't seem like the type to run and hide when things turn tough, she seems like someone who sees you for the amazing lovable gem that I've always known you to be".

"You're right Carmella, I can't let my past control me. I just wish I had heard that earlier", Conelly said sadly. "Reggie's probably so devastated she won't wanna have anything to do with me anymore."

"I wouldn't count on that either sweetie, I won't deny that she's hurt right now, but baby when someone truly loves you, that's a love that's not so easily forgotten".

"Thanks, Carmella", Conelly said squeezing the older girl again. "I know exactly what to do", and with a final squeeze and a good luck wish from Carmella, she was off to her room to get to work.