(Some of the song lyrics from "Escape" by Enrique Iglesias are used in this chapter - they still aren't mine.)

Subj: Shannon, please read this...

Date: 4/2/2003 7:48:02 PM Eastern Daylight Time

From: SoccerStar03

To: DebateThis23

Shannon- Honey, I know things were rough in our relationship - you and me, up and down at this time, but we'll get right, Shay. You can't just expect things to end this quickly. All that love, those memories.they don't just die. I refuse to let things end. Like I told you, I'm always going to be right here, waiting for you - if you go, you should know - its hard to just forget the past, especially so fast. I think you're rushing this decision.you don't seem to want to do this. Yeah, things were bad near the "end". Think about the other things, though - it was good.it was bad, but it was real. You aren't going to find perfect, Shannon.it doesn't exist. What we had, that was near-perfection, and that's all you get in the end of the matter. I want to try to work things out.please don't leave me - don't leave us. Love you always, Aaron

'Ohmygosh.' Shay thought to herself. She sat, mesmerized by what she saw in front of her. Stunned, she reread the message on her computer. For some reason, Aaron's e-mail rocked her to her very core. It wasn't out of character for the Aaron she had fallen in love with - he sent her sweet e- mails once a week or so. For Aaron as a person, though.well, she wouldn't have seen this coming. Although not overly quiet, he was pretty reserved around their friends.

"Shay, what happened? You look like someone just killed your dog.wait- did something happen to Romeo?! Is that why Mom and Dad kicked Kate out of the family room?" Chrissy questioned.

"Chrissy, Romeo is fine. This is about Aaron." her voice trailed off. The lack of privacy was one of the few things what bothered Shay about sharing a room.

"What happened?"

"Nothing."

"C'mon, Shay, you and I both know that's not true.why don't you tell me what's going on?"

"Aaron and I broke up.Mom and Dad grounded me.and then I got this," she read the e-mail to her twin and watched as her expression went from one of concern to one of amazement.

"Wow, he's got it for you - BAD - Shay, what are you going to do?" Chrissy bent down to retie her shoe.

"I don't know. There's not much I can do, is there?" she paused. "I mean, especially seeing as how I'm grounded because I was out late tonight."

"Oh yeah.well, I'll ponder it for you while I'm at the mall and let you know if I come up with any ideas. Need anything while I'm out?" she asked.

"No, I think I'm okay, but thanks," Shay responded as she hugged her sister.

"Everything's going to be alright," Chrissy said with a fake-sounding enthusiasm.

"I hope you're right, Chrissy, I hope everything does work out." she allowed her voice to trail off as she hit the "Respond" button on her e- mail. Now came the hard part - she had to respond.