Jeremy sat on the deserted bleachers overlooking the football field. He could hardly believe that in two weeks Big Mesa would all be a distant memory. Five months ago he was playing on the field trying to bring athletic glory to his school. So much had happened since then and so much else was going to happen. Jeremy wished he could just put his life on pause and stay in high school forever. In two weeks he would be on a plane to Arizona. Away from his friends. He realized he never wanted to leave. He wanted to be seventeen forever, playing ball with Trent and Stan, having the same classmates. Suddenly he heard the noise of someone clanging up onto the bleachers. Jeremy sighed. He just wanted to be alone. He saw that the person descending the stands was Conner McDermott. Jeremy knew him vaguely from the road trip they had taken a few months back. He didn't really like the guy, he had only tolerated him because he used to to go out with Jessica's sister. But thank God Conner and Elizabeth had broken up before Jessica and Jeremy had gotten back together. The idea of a double date with the guy had never appealed to Jeremy. Jeremy glanced up as Conner slung himself onto the stands. Jeremy looked at the guy in amazement. Conner never seemed to walk, he just seemed to stroll. A few months Jessica had forced Jeremy to watch a movie called 'Rebel Without a Cause'. The male lead, James Dean, reminded Jeremy of Conner McDermott.
"Hey," Conner said smoothly. "Looks like a nice place to mope."
Jeremy nodded. They guy sure didn't miss a thing. "What are you doing here, isn't this off your turf?"
"My turf?" Conner smirked. "You are such a jock. I'm here because I was going to meet up with some friends. But I don't really want to anymore."
"Girl troubles?"
"Yeah," Conner sighed. "See, I'm dating this chick called Alanna. But I have no idea why I'm with her. Plus she's leaving for rehab today."
Jeremy's eyes widened. "Heavy. But don't you care about her?"
"Yeah. But I don't love her. "
Jeremy ran his fingers through his hair. "I have sort of the same problem, but I love my girl. I'm leaving for Arizona in two weeks so I broke up with her."
"So what?" Conner asked confused. "That was the right thing to do. Who wants to deal with that long distance crap?"
"Well that was the point but I kind of made love to her before I broke up with her."
Conner's jaw dropped. "Wow, that was harsh. I thought I was the king of bad breakups, but that has to take the cake."
"I know," Jeremy sighed. "She thinks I'm a jerk and that I hate her."
"Well, you have two weeks, do something to show her that you still care about her."
"I should. But who are to talk? I thought you and Elizabeth...you know before you guys ended it...."
"Nope," Conner shrugged. "I've never done it with anyone." There was an awkward pause and Conner was thrilled when Jeremy asked, "How is Elizabeth doing, I mean you heard about the twins huge fight."
"I haven't talked with Elizabeth much since our breakup, but she seemed fin last night at the Riot."
"Wow, Jessica is pretty messed up about it she seems to think that they will never make up." Jeremy said sadly.
"That's pretty bad," Conner commented, "I mean they were always so close and stuff."
"Yeah," Jeremy looked thoughtful. "Do you think we should help get them to make up?"
"No," Conner snorted. "They're old enough to take care of themselves. If we messed with them they would both end up mad at us."
"I guess you're right. I mean in two weeks I'll probably never see either of them again."
"Me neither."
Jeremy grinned, "You never know. I mean Liz said she's going to Stanford but she doesn't seem positive."
Conner smirked, "What are you suggesting, that I want Liz to go to college with me?"
Jeremy laughed, "You said it, not me."
"No way!" Conner emphasized. "College is for playing the field, and having fun with as many girls as possible."
Jeremy smiled, "You mean, if you and Liz were to get back together you wouldn't want to stay with her at college?"
Conner thought about it for a while. As much as he hated to say it, if he and Elizabeth were still together, he couldn't imagine being with anyone else.

Elizabeth and Melissa were stretched on the beach trying to catch some rays. "I can't believe prom is tomorrow," Melissa said lazily.
"I know, I'm kind of excited," Elizabeth said softly. "I feel weird going without a date."
"Hey, I know what you mean," Melissa laughed. "It's not like I have a date either. We can go together."
"Yeah," Elizabeth said happier, "Two hot girls whose two misguided boyfriends dumped them right before prom."
Melissa's smile dropped, "God, are we losers or what? Seniors with no date to the prom."
Elizabeth nodded, "But we can still have fun."
Melissa sneered, "By what getting so drunk we can't feel the pain?"
Elizabeth smiled, "Slut dresses and over-the-top makeup."
"Find some frat guys here on the beach," Melissa added.
"Some extreme loser who will want to have-" Elizabeth stared at Melissa horrified. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," she stammered.
"It's okay," Melissa assured her. "I understand what he meant. It the long run...he's right. But I thought Jeremy was supposed to be the sweet guy. What he did to me, made all the things Will did look good."
"I know what Jeremy did was way harsh," Elizabeth said softly. "But don't you still love him?"
"Of course I do! It's like, all I want is just to feel his hand on my face, or see his eyes or taste his lips. I miss him so bad. And since we slept together, I've only wanted him more. It's like I just want to repeat that moment forever and ever. It was so tender and loving, Liz," Melissa said close to tears.
Elizabeth looked softly at Melissa, the girl was obviously a mess. And Elizabeth had no idea what to do.