Larry exhaled and saw his own breath pour out of his mouth. His hands were jammed in his pockets, and he was stumbling down the side of the road. Cars occasionally sped by him on the small suburban street, not caring enough to stop and ask him if he wanted a ride. But I guess with all the psychos lurking around nowadays...

Nothing could justify how his old friends had treated him back at the reunion. But could anything justify the way he treated them years ago? The lies he told then, the mental grief he inflicted upon them. Did they even compare? He didn't feel like he deserve to be listened to, let alone acknowledged.

Or were they all just overreacting? Was this whole thing blown completely out of proportion? Perhaps, Larry should've been forgiven six years ago.

Another car came speeding down the road. The blinding headlights made the street shimmer in the dark of the night. But upon approaching Larry, the car noticeable slowed, and stopped completely next to the young man. The window rolled down.

Need a ride, Larry?

~~~~~~

Lizzie stomped out of bathroom in a huff. One part of her knew Miranda deserved that. But she had to admit, there was a small corner of her brain that housed a bit of regret for her actions.

~~~~~~

Meanwhile, Miranda stood still back in the bathroom, her mouth agape and still dumbfounded by her so-called 's newfound confidence. But the real question was, was this something to be taken seriously? Was it a forgiveable misdemeanor, a spur-of-the-moment thing, or years and years of inner rage finally brought to the surface? The latter seemed a little extreme, almost unlikely. But maybe Lizzie stopped liking Miranda a long time ago. Maybe that's even why she left back when they were seniors in high school. For once, Miranda knew she had to do something quickly, or she could lose her best friend.

~~~~~~

Claire roamed the gym alone, mingling with the other elitists of their high school days, who hadn't changed one bit. The same popular people with their same atittudes. But something didn't feel right. Larry's words remained in her head, floating but never exactly making a big impression. Nothing seemed to make a big impression, until she turned around and saw Brooke Baker with a few of her friends.

Hey, Claire, she said, a grin forming on her face. What's up?

Nothing much, girlfriend. Things have been so tough lately. With my new mansion, and all...

Brooke said, stifling giggles, is it true that you're dating...Larry Tudgeman?

As much as Claire knew Larry was an abnormal freak, she had gotten to know him a little better. And the exasperated tone of Brooke's voice turned Claire defensive.

Yeah, so what if I am? she retorted. Then an amusing thought flowed back into her mind. At least I didn't go out with Gordo back in 7th grade. Brooke sneered, but she came prepared to deal with comments about that.

I'd rather go out with Gordo than Tudgeman anyday. At least Gordo is like...somewhat normal. He is practically the epitome of freakiness.

How can anyone say anything like that about Larry? He's so compassionate and caring and loving and helpful...oh my God. Am I falling for Tudgeman?

~~~~~~

Lizzie sat down and plopped her purse onto the table in front of her. She stared over at a few couples dancing on the dance floor. And for a split second, she wished she had that. She wished she had settled down a while ago with someone...like that guy she met in New York, Kevin. He was so sweet, but then one day, he just...left. Now I know how it feels.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a tall, blonde girl just standing there. Lizzie turned to her.

Yes, Kate? she said, annoyed more with the situation than with the person. Kate's face went sour, but she sighed to calm herself down.

Look, I know it's really not a good time right now, but I need to talk to you.

she said, reluctantly, crossing her arms across her chest.

First of all, I...heard the fight. Was it my fault? Kate said. How could Lizzie respond negatively to such a sincere question?

Lizzie looked up to see Kate in all her earnesty, and couldn't help but tell the truth. Not entirely. It was lots of things.

Lizzie, I know that Miranda doesn't want to forgive me. But do you think, maybe, you could? That would at least be a start on this long list of people to apologize to.



Kate's eyes were begging, pleading for absolution. But thinking back to their junior high days...could Lizzie ever?

-------------------

[A/N: I would've liked to write more, but I am really *bleeping* pissed right now, because I'm going to be up all *bleeping* night because I have this stupid library project on the Algonquin Indians due TOMORROW and my partner, Patty, just assigned all these things for me to do for the paper. Oh my God, I want to *bleeping* kill someone right now. Especially since I did all this research with Patty in school, and now she has all the info and AHHHHHHHHHH! I am so angry.

Sorry to those who asked if I could advertise for them in my stories. See, I would, but then I'd feel like I'd have to advertise for everyone, and there might be a story that I don't like and then I wouldn't want to advertise for it and I'd feel bad for blantantly dissing your story like that. You follow? LoL, yeah, so, blah.

I will forever despise the Algonquin Indians. No, sorry, that's not nice. I hate Miss Torpey, the librarian. She's an old hag and she can go die. Do I sound evil? I'm not usually this evil. I'm just really, really pissed off.

Anyway, did you like this chapter? I can't say I did. But I'm trying to go for quality rather than quantity, that's why I didn't finish it last night like I said. I'm so happy that I'm finally gonna get to write a chapter for . That'll be up, hopefully, by Thursday.

Things to remember: Pollyanna gifts for Denny, nice clothing for the Social, and things for our homeroom table!

Please reviewww. Thanks!]