***Flashback to High School***

          I carefully fold the paper into a nice neat square and pass it behind me to Paul. I can hear him crinkling the paper as he opens it. A few minutes pass and I receive the letter once more. Opening it I see Paul's familiar handwriting along the bottom of the page.

            Sorry Paige, I have to study for the math test on tonight..

        Frustrated I crumble the piece of paper and toss it on the floor. I don't even bother to care that the teacher stopped reading the novel to look over at me. I can't believe he doesn't want to go to the diner with me. He's making up excuses. Something is SO seriously wrong. I think to myself.

            Turning around I look into Paul's vibrant green eyes and silently plead with him to reconsider. He just looks at my sadly and shakes his head no. Again I plead, this time almost throwing myself onto his desk. I hear the teacher yelling at me, but I don't bother to turn around. The next thing I know she's standing right in front of us and she's grabbing my arm. I try to push her away but she holds on tighter and continues to talk her psycho babble. I can't hear her and I don't want to, I just keep looking at Paul, trying desperately to figure out what's wrong with him.

            Finally I couldn't take it and I just ask him.

            "What's wrong Paul? What? Tell me!!!" I yell.

            He looks down to his paper and doesn't say anything. Just then the officer who is assigned to stand outside all the classrooms comes running in. He takes hold of my arm and drags me right off my chair. Knowing I can no longer fight them, I grab my books and follow the officer to the Principal's office.

*          *          *

            "Mr. and Mrs. Matthews Paige's behavior is totally unacceptable. Her frequent outbursts in class, along with her unexplained absences and the box of cigarettes we found in her locker leave us with no choice but to suspend her until further notice. The school board doesn't want the school to be looked down upon because of the actions some of our students, such as Paige are conducting during school hours. I'm very sorry, but you have to understand this must be done." Principal

            With grave faces my parents nod their heads and silently leave the office. I hurry back to the chair and away from my position at the door just as they step outside. They look at me disappointed and tell me to get up, that we're leaving.

            I follow them to the car and get in. I think back to Paul and realize I have to talk to him, regardless of what my parents may think or say. I wait till they're both in the car and then nervously I tell them.

"Mom? Dad? I...umm..."

            "What Paige? What is it now?" my mom says aggravated.

            "I...I can't go to the family dinner tonight." I quickly say, hoping that it would help lessen their anger so that they would be willing to let me skip it this one time. Boy, was I wrong.

            "Miss family night? Are you kidding me?" my dad yells through the rear view mirror.

            "But you don't understand, I have to..."

            "You have to nothing Paige! We're not going to let you do this, family night is the only thing we have left between us and we're not about to ruin it now!" my dad yells turning around for a second to look me straight in the eyes.

            All of a sudden I see a car swerving into our lane.

            "Dad! Look out!" I yell.

            I scream and cover my face as I see the car come in contact with ours. A second later I uncover my eyes to see that I'm lying on the pavement a good 40 feet from the car, which is now up in flames. Crying I try to get closer to the car, but never make it, breaking down on the floor.

            "Why? Why?" I yell to the heavens.

            I watch as the car continues to burn and off in the distance I hear the sound of the police cars and ambulance. I hear them approaching me, but I don't dare turn around. I just watch as my parents are taken away from me, forever.

A/N: What do you think? Good chapter? Please review!