After the long ride to and then walk through Montana, I finally arrived at Sean's house. I knocked on the door, hoping his parents wouldn't remember me if they answered. "Yes?" A maid said through the partially open door.

"I'm looking for Sean Owens, is he here?"

The women looked at my worn clothes and dirt encrusted face. "And who are you?" she asked in a very condescending manner.

"I don't think who I am has anything to do with whether or not Sean is home or not." She stared at me, saying nothing. "Look. Is he here or not?" I was becoming very aggravated.

"Who's at the door?" said a male voice from inside.

"Nothing Mr. Owens."

A moment later the owner of the voice peered through the small opening. "Hello Miss, what can I get for ya," said a young boy, around six or so. He had sandy blond hair with emerald green eyes.

"I'm looking for Sean Owens, is he here?"

The boy shook his head, "But he should be back in a hour or so. You can come in and wait."

I smiled at the boy then caught the disapproving look of the maid, "Maybe I should just come back later."

He gave a fake pout, "Please!"

"Alright, alright."

I walked into the finely furnished foyer. The house hadn't changed much since I was there. Well the themes of the rooms had changed but it was still spotless and perfect. You know, the houses that are so nice and clean you're scared to do anything in it. You would never know a six-year- old lived there.

"You want something to eat?" he asked as we headed to what I assumed was the kitchen.

I had always felt rude refusing someone's hospitality but I was also hungry so of course I said yes. He had the cook cut up some apples for us.

"So you know my brother?" I nodded. "My name's Tristan, what's yours?"

"Chrys."

"Isn't Chrys a boy's name?"

I laughed, "It's short for Crystal."

"I think I like Chrys better, even if it is a boys name."

Again I laughed, "Me too."

The boy began asking question after question. "So where do you know Sean from?"

"I was friends with him a long time ago."

"Must've been a long time, because I met all his friends and I don't remember you. Where do you live?"

"New York."

"New York?! That's far away!" He stretched out far so it sounded like fa- ar.

"Yep,"

"How long are you staying in Montana."

"I dunno."

"Where are you staying?"

"No idea."

"Do you want to stay here with us?"

"Maybe."

After another forty-five minutes of questioning, Sean arrived home.

"Sean!" Tristan yelled as he ran into the foyer to greet his brother.

"Hey buddy."

"There's a girl here to see you! She came all the way from New York!"

I heard Sean mumble, "But I don't know anyone from New York," to himself.

Tristan entered the room first, tugging on Sean's sleeve. "This is Chrys," he said, "Do you remember Chrys? Do you? Do you?"

Sean looked at Tristan and then back to me. "I'm sorry, I don't know anyone named Chrys or anyone from New York. So... um... who are you?"

I realized he wouldn't know me as Chrys, "It's Chrys for short. My name's Crystal. We were best friends when we were kids." Sean just stared at me, still not recognizing me. "I guess you don't remember me."

He shrugged, "Sorry."

"It's okay, I should've realized you wouldn't. I'll be going now."

"But you said you would stay here for the night!" Tristan whined.

"I said I might. I gotta go. Bye Tristan, Sean." I headed for the foyer and was almost out the front door when I heard a gruff voice of who I assumed to be Sean's father.

"Who are you and what are you doing in my house?"

"I was just leaving," I said with a sigh.

"With our stuff probably? Trash like you need to earn money the honest way. Not by stealing from people like me, who work hard for what they have."

"I don't have anything of yours. Honest."

"Sure you don't. Then what were you doing here?"

"I was visiting Sean."

"Sean doesn't hang around garbage like you. He never has."

"Sure he hasn't," I said loud enough for him to hear.

The man laughed, "You're right, he has. There was one devil when he was little but that piece of shit is out of his life. He's on the right track now. Get out of my house."

"No problem," I said before shutting the door. I started my walk back to the train station when I heard someone running behind me. I turned around and was surprised to see Sean running towards me.

"I remember!" he shouted. "I heard you and my dad talking before you left, and I remember!"

"That's good. Sorry I bothered you, but I need to get going."

"Wait!" he said, trying to catch his breath. "Why'd you come after so long?"

"I needed... well... I don't know what I wanted outta coming here! I'm just sick of being afraid!"

"Afraid of what?"

"People letting me down. I thought if I confronted you after all these years, maybe I wouldn't be so worried that people would hurt me. But I don't know..."

He looked into my eyes, "I'm sorry I made you go to that dinner. If I knew my parents were going to act like that I wouldn't have even mentioned it to you."

"I know."

"Do you forgive me?"

"Yea."

He smiled, "Why don't you stay at our house for a bit, till you go back to New York."

"What about your parents? Won't they mind?"

"Has that ever stopped us before? Plus Tristan really likes you."

I smiled, "Alright, let's go."

We began walking back to his house, "So New York, eh?"

"Yea, New York," I said.

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A/N: Yea, my whole little blackmail deal was a bunch of B.S. I updated quickly even though I only got one review so far. (Thanks Sapphy! I dedicate this chapter to you!) I wouldn't want to stop writing even if I didn't get any reviews! But I love reviews so keep 'em coming! Which reminds me, there's something I'm supposed to do... Oh! Now is when I tell you to review! So yea, review! ::gets Tristan::

Tristan: Review...::gives fake pout:: Please?

You're really good at that.

Tristan: ::smiling:: I know!