Here are the next three chapters of the story. Thank you so much for the reviews, I love to hear which parts of the story you are enjoying most. I *heart* reviews! I'm happy to be posting the next few chapters mainly because I'm pretty pleased with the way chapter twenty in particular turned out. Just to warn you, these chapters are mostly description not dialogue, hope that's okay! Also chapter nineteen is pretty short (sorry about that). Anyway enough from me, here's the story and have a great weekend!

Trust Your Instincts.

Gordie was just hanging out with Teddy and a couple of others guys in the Blue Point Diner of all places. The conversation was mostly fixed around girls and cars, decent enough topics, but tonight Gordie's mind was wandering. He missed Chris. Chris could make him laugh with a single word. Chris was his best friend and Gordie had screwed things up today. A group of girls arrived and sat at the next table, immediately Teddy and the other guys were trying to impress them. Gordie rolled his eyes as Charlie Connors and Toby Watson started arm wrestling. The whole situation made him feel like he were about fourteen again and he realised with some sadness that he had outgrown these people. In a way it wasn't sad, it was just fact. It was just life and he remembered what Chris had told him one day so long ago 'some people drown, it's not fair but some people drown'.

One of the girls came and sat besides him, she seemed more intelligent than the others, although that wasn't saying a great deal.

"Hi Gordie," she said smiling brightly. "I'm Emma." She stuck out her hand and he found himself shaking it with some surprise.

"Hey Emma," Gordie said feeling his throat go a little dry.

"You friends with Teddy?" she asked.

"Yeah we go way back." Gordie smiled slightly.

"I haven't seen you around before," Emma mused. "I used to go out with Teddy and I don't remember your name being mentioned. Sorry that wasn't supposed to be an insult, no offence right?"

"None taken," Gordie said, then "you used to go with Teddy?"

"Yeah but now I go with Vern," Emma said and she smiled fondly.

"Vern?" Gordie was incredulous. "You go with Vern?"

"Sure," Emma replied. "He's a lot of fun."

"Yeah but … but Vern?" Gordie couldn't find words he was so surprised.

"What's a matter with Vern?" Emma asked and her demeanour had changed slightly. "He's a sweet, honest guy."

"I guess." Gordie shrugged.

Emma frowned. "Where do you get off acting all high and mighty?" she asked sharply. "You don't even look like you took a shower today" she said gesturing to his messy hair and face, which was still somewhat dirty.

"That's cause I didn't take a shower today" Gordie replied, not bothering to be polite.

"Why?"

"Cause I didn't alright."

"You slept in the tree house last night," Emma said triumphantly.

"So?" Gordie asked.

"With Teddy!" she continued. "I mean you slept there and so did Teddy, nothing funny," she laughed weakly.

Gordie shot her a dark look. "How'd you know I was in the tree house?"

"I know everything Gordie Lachance," she said trying to be mysterious but failing miserably. "I know who you are and where you live."

"So does everyone!" Gordie snapped impatiently.

"I know Chris Chambers is your best friend" Emma continued, "He's in trouble."

"Liar" Gordie said and somewhere inside his head the sixteen year old Gordie was all 'what the hell is this eleven year old Gordie doing speaking and controlling my thoughts?'

"No lie, sincerely," Emma burst out. "I seen him and he looked hurt."

"You're lying," Gordie said but his voice lacked conviction.

"I'm not," Emma said simply. Then, "you're strange you know that?"

"So is your mother," Gordie said wearily and stood up.

"Wait," Emma said and she stood up too and gave him a hug. "Good bye Gordie Lachance, it was nice to meet you."

Gordie didn't reply he just started walking. He slapped Teddy's shoulder in good-bye, and then he was out the door and walking along the street. He thought about what Emma had said, was Chris really in trouble? There was only one way to find out, Gordie turned around and headed back across the town to the Chambers' house. He had to see Chris and get this whole thing sorted out.