A.N. Sorry it's been so long! I was suddenly drowning in school work and didn't have time to finish this chapter. I'm a little worried about it. I started it, like, a week ago, so I'm not sure it flows well. Hope it's okay! Let me know what you think!!!
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Caitie walked out of the room, intent on getting her grandmother more ice. Walking down the hall, she caught a look at her reflection in a window and grimaced. So not me, Caitie stated, but secure in the knowledge that no one she knew would walk by.

She walked swiftly towards the nurses' station with great familiarity, having made the same trip dozens of times previously. The head nurse, an older redhead with mischievous green eyes, saw her and smiled.

Hello, Caitie, Susan greeted the girl. How are you today?

A little tired, Caitie replied honestly. How are you?

Susan nodded. About the same. How's your grandmother? she asked, taking the ice bucket from Caitie and leading her into the back room where the ice machine was stationed.

Caitie snorted delicately. She can't be all that great, considering she's still here.

Having seen to much in life to be offended by honesty, no matter how crudely presented, Susan just shrugged. She's doing better than most who come in, Caitie.

Yeah, but that doesn't make me feel better, Caitie muttered as Susan handed her the ice bucket, now full, with a small smile. Nodding, Susan watched as Caitie wandered back down the hall to her grandmother's room.

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Caitie slammed her locker shut as the bell rang and hurried down the hall to her first class. Glancing up as Jamie appeared at her side, she gave him a sarcastic smile. Late for class again, Mr. Waite?

I have more important things to do than adhere to a hopelessly flawed system! he responded loftily.

That sounds exactly like something I would say, she thought in surprise. They had just reached the door to their history class, so she was unable to respond as they tried to sneak in the back. Unfortunately, Mr. Stewart, who usually faced the board the entire period, was facing his students in some freak coincidence as the two rebels tiptoed in.

So kind of you to join us, the teacher said sweetly, motioning to their seats. Won't you please sit down, Mr. Waite? Miss Roth?

Jamie and Caitie slunk to their seats, waiting for the usual shout of to crash down on their heads. Mr. Stewart turned back to the rest of the class. Now, as I was saying before the intermission, he continued.

Exchanging glances, Jamie and Caitie quickly opened their notebooks, not wanting to chance losing the advantage of Stewart's seemingly benevolent mood. Soon, the teacher turned his back to the class again, and life resumed its normal procedure.

As they exited the class, Jamie was still mulling over Mr. Stewart's kind act. That was weird, Stewart's never passes on a chance to give a detention. Why didn't he fry us for being late?

Caitie shrugged. Maybe he has to supervise detention today and didn't want to deal with us.

Jamie shook his head. No, he'd enjoy seeing us squirm too much.

Maybe he's devised a clever ploy to make us pay. Something more subtle than detention. Caitie gestured wildly. Maybe he's just tired of the monotony of his life and his connection to a completely totalitarian system!

Maybe he just woke up on the right side of the bed? Val offered from behind them.

Jamie said to the blonde as she stepped up to Caitie's other side.

Not bothering to greet her friend, Caitie shook her head darkly. I don't think Stewart's bed even has a right' side.

Very true, Tyler replied, suddenly appearing on the other side of Val. That man likes to see people suffer.

I always thought that he was just, very devoted to his work, Val said kindly.

Hank popped up on Jamie's right. Val, the man gives, on average, sixteen detentions a week.

Where do you people come from? Caitie muttered. Out of the walls?

Jamie grinned at her as Tyler continued Hank's logic. Considering that he teaches three classes a day--

Each with an average of twenty students, Hank interjected.

Then any given student in his class has over a twenty five percent chance of being sentenced to detention in a week, Tyler finished.

Val glanced between them. Not that I don't appreciate random statistics, but are you guys practicing for the SATs or something?

Math test, Hank and Tyler intoned simultaneously. Val nodded, still giving them odd looks.

Rolling her eyes, Caitie stepped away from the group as they began to pass her next class. Okay, brainiacs, I'll see you later, she said, opening the door and stepping inside as echoed behind her.

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After school, Jamie headed down the hall from his locker towards Caitie's, an anxious expression on his face. She hadn't appeared under the bleachers at lunch like she always did, and he knew that she hadn't been with Val either, since he'd sought the blonde out at the end of the lunch period. However, Caitie wasn't at her locker when he got there, nor did she show up while he waited there for ten minutes.

I guess she's really mad, he thought worriedly, giving up waiting for her and walking out the main doors. But she didn't seem mad this morning, so what would have changed between now and then?

Totally confused, and more than a little annoyed at Caitie's disappearing act, he stalked to his motorcycle. Shrugging on his jacket, he straddled the bike and roared out of the parking lot with the flare of a true rebel.

Well, one intent on finishing his homework.

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They had tried to make the room cozy, despite its sterile walls. A faded picture of an orchid hung on one wall parallel to the bed, and on another, a print of a cottage hung in a frame. Caitie didn't really see why they even tried to make the room cheerful. Were they trying to impress the families? At least it was sunny all day long.

Watching the woman on the bed sleep, Caitie leaned back in the plastic hospital chair, pulling her sweater closer around her. Anyone looking in would have found it odd that a Goth was visiting the sickly and old, but Caitie didn't care what people thought. They were generally wrong anyway.

She'd arrived around two o'clock, cutting out of sixth period, only to find her grandmother asleep. So, she'd settled in to wait, but that had been three hours ago, and there had been no indication since then that Grandma was waking up again today. Sighing, Caitie stood, and scooped up her bag.

Bye, Nana, she whispered, leaning over to kiss her grandmother's forehead. She walked out the door, shouldering her bag.

She waved to Susan as she passed the nurses' station, who smiled and waved in return. Lost in her own thoughts, Caitie entered the lobby and headed for the door, not even bothering to watch for anyone she knew. After all, who would she know in the hospital anyway?

a voice located somewhere to her right asked.

Instinctively, Caitie turned towards the voice before she could tell herself to cut and run. Finally locating a familiar face, Caitie found herself staring into the eyes of Jamie's ex-girlfriend, Bobby.

Uh, hey, Caitie said, nervously glancing around the room for any more familiar faces. Satisfied that Bobby was the only one, she turned back to the girl, frowning at her crutches. What are you doing here?

Bobbi smiled questioningly. I could ask you the same thing.

Smirking, Caitie said dryly, I meant why are you back in Kingsport? I thought you left on the circuit. At least, that's what Jamie said, Caitie added stiltedly.

Well, I kinda had a little accident, Bobbi replied, gesturing with one of her crutches. So, since I won't be riding for awhile, I came back home to rest up.



The two girls looked around uncomfortably. They hadn't spoken since Bobbi had called to thank Caitie for what she'd done at the race, and they both knew that Jamie still stood between them.

Bobbi said, clearing her throat.

Caitie echoed softly. Her loyalty to Jamie warred with her own jealousy for a moment, but her loyalty won. If Bobbi was Jamie's friend, Caitie would try her best to be friendly. After all, she thought hopefully, she won't be in town that long.

Um, do you want to go get something to eat? Caitie asked. I'm starving.

Bobbi grinned slightly. Sure. I skipped lunch today.

Me, too. This isn't too bad, Caitie told herself. Val would be so proud. She snickered silently.

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So he didn't call at all? Bobbi asked, taking a swig of soda.

Caitie shook her head, dipping a french fry in ketchup. Not until this morning.

That little...Whenever he did that to me, I would make his life hell for a week. Smiling reminiscently, Bobbi chewed a bite of burger. He never seemed to learn, though. So, how are you making him pay?

Frowning, Caitie tilted her head. Pay for what?

For not calling.

Caitie looked surprised. I'm not mad he didn't call. He couldn't help that. I'm just annoyed because he never seems to have time for me anymore. How did they get started talking about this anyway?

Bobbi was waiting for her to continue as Caitie fiddled with her straw, an uncomfortable expression stationed on her face. I'm not even annoyed with him really. I mean, he can't help it that being an EMT takes up so much of his time. But now both of my best friends have been absorbed by the Super Squad.

Bobbi frowned confusedly. You have two best friends? Oh, wait, the blonde, right? What was her name? Vanessa? Something cheerleader-ish...

Caitie supplied with a smirk.

Oops, sorry, Bobbi said, with a smile that, while friendly, didn't seem too apologetic.

Don't worry about it, she is a cheerleader. Caitie shrugged and popped another fry in her mouth as Bobbi laughed.

Silence hovered over the table for a while. Why in the world did I bring this up? Caitie thought. All I had to say when she asked about Jamie was that he was fine. That everything was fine. But did I? Oh no, everything just spilled right out of my big mouth. Sighing, Caitie played with the crust of her sandwich and reflected that maybe she'd just needed someone to listen.

Bobbi's voice pulled her back out of her thoughts. Have you ever tried explaining to Jamie why you're upset? I mean, he can probably tell you're annoyed, and, being Jamie, will just assume he did something to make you mad.

Wincing, Caitie rubbed her temple. I know. But if I acknowledge that I'm upset, he'll question me about why and... she trailed off.

And there's more to it than feeling like you've lost your best friends? Bobbi asked supplied cheerfully.

Glaring at the other girl, Caitie snapped, I didn't say that, did I?

Bobbi ignored the glare and shrugged complacently. You didn't have to say anything. It was written all over your face, Caitie.

Oh.

Does it have anything to do with you being in the hospital today? Bobbi asked bluntly when Caitie remained silent.

Caitie debated with herself for a moment and then opened her mouth to speak. She really did need to talk to someone about it.

Bobbi took another bite of her burger, chewing as she waited for Caitie to continue. When she didn't, Bobbi stole a fry off her plate to get her attention. Well? Care to be a bit more specific?

Leaning back in her chair, Caitie raised an eyebrow. I'm not sick, if that's what you're wondering.

Then why were you in the hospital?

I was visiting someone. People do that when their families or friends are sick.

Bobbi rolled her eyes. Profound, Roth.

Everything I say is brilliant, Bobbi, Caitie said wryly.

So who were you visiting? Bobbi asked persistently, stealing another french fry.

My grandmother. Leaning forward, Caitie absently slid her plate out of Bobbi's reach. She's a female Jamie, Caitie realized. Jamie always steals my fries.

Is she sick? Bobbi prodded.

Sighing, Caitie decided that if she wanted someone to listen, she was going to have to speak. Kind of. She's not...sick in a conventional way. Caitie stopped in frustration. You know how Kingsport General is a hospice as well as a hospital?

Bobbi nodded slowly. I think I've heard that before. I've never been to that wing, though.

Yeah, well, neither had I until a few months ago. Caitie fiddled with her straw again. Last year, my grandmother started acting strangely. Forgetting where she put things, where she parked her car. She was always a bit absentminded, though, so we didn't think much of it. Besides, people get a little forgetful when they get older.

Clearing her throat, Caitie frowned, not sure how to continue. But during the summer, she started getting worse. She'd go to the store, but she'd forget she'd driven there and walk home. She'd be on the phone with one of us, and then something would catch her attention and she'd wander off, forgetting we were still on the line.

Caitie noticed that Bobbi had stopped eating and was just staring at her, a confused look on her face. We finally convinced her to go to the doctor and he said...he said that she had Alzheimer's Disease.

Swallowing against the lump in her throat, Caitie held her head up high and plowed on. At first, we wanted her to move in with us, so that we could take care of her. But the doctor said she was too far along, that she needed twenty four hour attention. He thought it would be best to put her in a hospice.

Why a hospice? Bobbi interrupted. I mean, she wasn't sick, just forgetful.

Caitie shook her head. It's not just forgetting where you put things. You forget who the people around you are. You can't remember the difference between walls and people. You forget who you are. Later on in the disease, people can even begin to get...violent. People who have the disease need help doing everything from washing themselves to eating.

She saw Bobbi glance at her discarded burger and quickly pick it back up. Caitie smiled, understanding the sentiment. Ever since her grandmother had gotten sick, she was suddenly so grateful for knowing how to do these things.

So, we put her in the hospice. It turns out they have a section of the hospice that deals just with debilitating diseases like Alzheimer's. Diseases that affect the mind.

How bad is your grandmother? Bobbi asked quietly.

She's started forgetting names, not family names yet, but some of her doctors. I don't know exactly how far along she is. My mother never tells me what the doctor says.

Nodding, Bobbi sat looking uncomfortable, unsure of what to say. I'm sorry, she finally managed.

Don't be, Caitie said. It's just life. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it sucks. And there's nothing we can do about it. Pausing, she swallowed. Thanks for listening, she offered quietly.

Any time, Caitie.

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To My Fabulous Reviewers!!!

Gerlox-Thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you like the story.

Grinning Purple Chesire Cat- Yeah, it sucks when they say they'll call and don't. I feel kind of bad for Jamie, though. He really couldn't help it. And he feels so bad about it.

rainshower- Thanks for the review! ^_^ I hope you like this chapter, too.

amber-1134- Thanks for the review, and the advice! I actually didn't realize it was blocking anonymous reviews. I think I fixed it, but I'm not sure, so if it's still doing it, let me know. ^_^

winter*rose- He really is wonderful, isn't he? I even watched Animorphs for awhile just so I could see him. He's so cute! *hurriedly wipes up drool* He didn't show up much in this chapter, but he will be prominent in the next one!

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A.N. This will eventually be more romantic, I promise. Let me know if you have any suggestions.