CHapter Twenty-Five

Kristin stepped out of the jeep and was greeted by all the Cliffhangers. She didn't say much, but it hurt to look at Peter, and for a few that was evident. She had blown up at him and not meant to, but she couldn't say sorry because...every word she yelled was true.

***2 weeks later***

"Kristin??? Hullo?" Mr. Thomas said, tapping his feet impatiently. Ever since Kristin had gotten back from the hospital she had turned in little to no homework, and hadn't gotten over a 64 on any test. "What?" Kristin mumbled, her head still on the desk, blowing her pencil to the front of the desk then hitting it so it would roll back. "Would you please answer the question?" Hmm, it was something on Washington state, so Krisitn took a guess. "snow." She muttered. "We're on Australia now." Oh. So it was Australia, I guess Washington was last unit, she thought. "Kangaroos." She muttered. "Kangaroos sorround Australia?" He asked, sighing. "In some parts." She grumbled. "Would you PLEASE sit up and pay attention?" "Sorry, I can't afford to pay attention. I'm broke. Peter has all my money." SHe answered, shrugging. Another thing: she had became the class clown without meaning to.

Mr. Thomas was frusterated but gave up. "Before you go to math, please wait for me outside." He said. "Whatever." She said. He went back to the history lesson. Oh. Oceans, she thought.

"Kristin, it's time for math, please wait for me outside." He said. Most of the kids turned to look at her, most of the faces showing concern. "Whatever." Was her answer again.

She stood outside, leaning against the school building, not really caring what Mr. THomas said. He came outside and handed her a medium-sized post it and started talking. "Listen, Kristin, I know it's been a rough few weeks, but you can't slack off on your school work. I KNOW you can this work, you've done it before, but your grades are all D's and F's except literature-that's only because you turn in essays, but since I have that annoying rule that if you turn it in you got at least a B minus, you've maintained a 73. Just give this to Peter, okay?" He said, sighing, when he noticed she wasn't paying a bit of attention. "Yep." She muttered and took the fifth note that she had gotten over the past 2 weeks. She had ripped the other four up. She was going to rip this one up to.

She she did, right before she got into the classroom. She threw them in the trashcan and walked into Peter's office. "So? Was that the fifth note you've ripped up?" Peter asked as she sat down. "I don't know what you're talking about." She muttered and slunped down into the chair.

Peter looked at her. Her face was flushed and she was getting really skinny, but he had seen her eat. Maybe she wasn't eating certain meals- he'd have to check on that. Her hair was brushed and thrown back behind her ears, not like she usually did it. She was wearing jeans and a jacket over whatever else she had on. She looked sick and depressed.

"Kristin, yes you do. Mr. THomas just called and asked me what I was doing about his letters. I told him I had no clue what he was talking about, becuase of course I DIDN'T because some kid forgot to give me hers. Plus I just saw you tear that letter up." "I don't care," She muttered.

***So you can understand why Kristin's like this here's her POV***

I wish he could understand. I'm scared to death Steven will come back. They've found him and all, but he's in juvie and my brother has escaped juvie before, so he could probably do it again. Plus I miss everybody. Everybody at home Not that I wanna go back, no way. TO many bad memories, plus my mom and dad are here-and Scott, Auggie, Jules, Daisy, Shelby, Kat and Ezra. But I miss Adam, and even Mr. Sheyne, even though he was annoying sometimes. I miss TV. Even that lame show Brady Bunch. Ha. I wish home life was really like that. Ooohh it's okay, hunny, just don't do it again next time compared to: Bitch! POW! Don't you-smack-ever-punch- do-kick-that-kick-again-smack/punch/kick/pickupand throw. Maybe I could tell Peter. Nah. He wouldn't understand.

***End of her POV***

"Peter? Can I call Adam later?" SHe muttered. Peter sighed. "Yes. But ONLY if you eat ALL your dinner and do ALL your homework." He said sternly. "Whatever." She said.

LAter that day:

Peter and Sophie sat non-chalantly at a table across from the Cliffhangers, keeping an eye on Kristin. Peter didn't think their was a problem like Jules;she was just depressed. Kristin picked at her food, and the place was much quieter without her loud talking. She ate a bite and yawned. She forced down as much as possible and looked up at Peter. He sighed but nodded and she put her tray up and walked up to Peter. "Can I go call him?" She asked. "Have you done all your homework?" Geesh-he really was starting to sound like a CARING father. "Yes." She lied. She still had a lot of social studies but it was easy. "Okay." He said, feeling she was lying but he was tired, so she let him go.

She picked up the phone and carefully called Adam's phone number. It had been a month since she had talked to him;she hoped he wasn't mad.

"Hello?" Mrs. Holbrook's voice came over the phone. "Hello? This is Kristin, Mrs. Holbrook. Is Adam home?" Kristin asked. "Yes, dear. And nice to hear from you, it's been so long." She said. "I know, I was really tied up." Kristin told her.

"Adam, phone!" Mrs. Holbrook called.

"Hello?" Adam asked. "Adam? It's-it's Kristin." "It's YOU?" He cried, choking up a little. "Huh?" Kristin asked, confused. "I-I thought you were dead." He answered.



Uh-oh? Why?