High School. A Teens Best Friend. Yeah Right.

By Risty Maskell and Silver15

Disclaimer: Aww shucks, you know we don't own it.

Summary: Heck, I dunno…

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When I came round, Billee was sitting at the end of my bed, reading some sort of history novel. As I moved my led slightly, he looked up and smiled.

"You had me worried," he told me. "You've been out for hours"

"I'm still tired," I muttered. "And my throat feels really dry"

Billee gave me a glass of water and helped me to drink it. I still felt very weak, but the water made me feel a bit better. Then he tucked me back in, gave me a kiss on the cheek and shut the curtains for me. I drifted back into a deep sleep.

I slept a lot in the next week. Often I'd wake up, have a drink then go back to sleep again. I'd had a mild fever, Billee told me, and I had been suffering badly from dehydration. He, Legolas and Boromir looked after me, made sure that I was never without water and brought me food, although I would eat on a tiny amount. Elrond came to see me a few times, but I would just turn away, refuse to talk to him. I did the same with Jamie, Baz, Jake and even Frodo when he stuck his head around the door to see how I was doing. As far as I was concerned, they didn't exist. I wasn't ready to talk to anyone.

Finally, after about a week, I was beginning to feel quite a bit better, at least physically. However, I still couldn't face people and I was completely unwilling to go back to classes. So day after day, I lay on my bed, not eating and not talking, depression completely clouding my mind. I cut regularly in that time, needing it just to help me get through the day. I felt completely alone. Sure I had Billee, Legolas and Boromir, but even they couldn't reach me.

Three days before the mock rock thing, Elrond had come in to see if I was okay. Everyone was in lessons so I was by myself. When he came in, I glared at him and turned away. This time, however, he persisted.

"Emma, you aren't coping are you?" he said gently. "Why won't you talk to us? We only want to help you"

"You can't help me," I said quietly. "Leave me alone"

"Emma, I know what's it's like…" he started to say. I sat up angrily. He took a step back, no doubt remembering the last time.

"You have no idea what it's bloody like!" I screamed at him. "I hate this place, I really do! I just want to go home" I broke off and pulled my covers over my head. "Just go away," I said from under them. I heard the door shut as Elrond left. I felt a bit guilty then, but I dealt with it the way I've always dealt with things. By reaching for the knife…

One the night of the rock mock, Billee and the others came in and told me that we were going to see it. I shook my head stubbornly. I wasn't going to face any of the other students if I could help it.

"Come on Em" Boromir said softly. "It'll be fun. And we'll be right there with you"

"Just an hour or so" Billee agreed. "Honestly, it won't be that bad. And it might cheer you up"

"No one will say anything with Billee there" Legolas pointed out. "Just give it a try"

They went on and on about it, so finally I agreed to go just to shut them up. When we stepped into the hall, it all went quiet. Everyone turned to look at us and I could hear them whispering. I took a step back, intending to leave, but Boromir put his arm around me and Billee took my hand. Together they got me to a seat at the front.

I paid almost no attention to the various acts. To be honest, my heart just wasn't in it. It wasn't until I heard my name that I looked up. Up on the stage were Jamie, Rosie, Indigo, Reesa, Blue and Arwen. They were singing a song, for me.

As I listened to them singing, I suddenly felt like I was going to cry. I buried my face in Boromir's shoulder and let the tears come. Sure, maybe Jaime and me could never be great friends again, but the fact that she had done that meant a lot to me.

As they came down from the stage, everyone applauded. Boromir stood up, pulling me with him. They were coming over to us.

Billee gave them all a hug. I couldn't help noticing that Indigo held onto him a bit long than the others. Legolas and Boromir smiled and told them how well they had done. Then everyone turned to me.

"We're sorry Emma" Jaime said. "Forgive us?"

For a moment, the cloud seemed to lift. I hugged them all. Well they deserved it. And I was rather touched. But when I pulled away, I couldn't help still feeling angry with them. Well not all of them. Just Jaime really. The song had convinced me that they really were sorry, but I knew that it would take much more than that in the long run. Still, I did feel a tiny bit better.

"I want to go to bed now" I whispered in Billee's ear. He gave me a concerned look.

"You all right?" he asked. "Maybe this was a bit much for you"

"I'm just tired," I said slowly. "And I need to be by myself for a bit, just to think, you know"

"Yeah, I know" he said with a smile. "Are you feeling any better?"

"A little bit" I turned to Jaime and the others and forced a smile. "Thanks guys" I said. "That meant a lot"

I gave Boromir a quick goodnight kiss. Well actually a long goodnight kiss. Then I hurried back to my dorm. Nearly everyone was still in the hall and I had to do what I had planned to do before anyone came after me.

I was already wearing suitable riding clothes, so all I did was to pull on my riding cloak and my boots. My riding cloak is really nice; well they're kind of rare nowadays. Billee's mother gave it to me for my birthday about two years ago. Billee has one just the same. We use them instead of riding jackets. Then I slipped my ring on my finger and scribbled a quick note in my diary, telling them that I was going home. I took nothing else, just my ring and Boromir's knife. Then slowly I made my way outside to the stables.

My horse, Flamedancer, looked at me and snorted as I entered the stables. I'd been neglecting him lately, but it looked like Billee had been taking care of him. I walked up to him and rubbed his nose.

"We're going home, boy," I told him softly. He snorted again. "Be quiet," I warned him, checking that his reins were fitted properly and that he was comfortable. I didn't bother with a saddle; me and Billee have been riding bare backed for years and I prefer riding without one.

Slowly I led Flamedancer out of the stables and through the main gate. When we got outside, I mounted him and pushed him into a gallop. Since I had left almost everything behind, including my bag, I knew that everyone would assume that I had just gone for a walk. They wouldn't worry until morning and I would be miles away by then. Maybe it was running away, but I knew that I couldn't face any of the others again. Particularly not Elrond. Although I was upset about leaving Boromir, in my depressed state of mind, it seemed like the only option…