A/N: Hi! I'm here to fulfill another request! I will continue with the High School Changes Everyone fic tomorrow, I am just kinda wiped out right now from the wedding (which supplied me with a lot of fanfic ideas, heehee) anyway, here is a fic, but not before the reviewer notes!

Becky Lucinda: I don't know where that idea came from! Glad you liked it. Keep reading!

Angel9220042004: Here it is! Enjoy!

Yankee Doodle Blonde: glad you liked and thanks for the request! Keep reading!

Virgo-eyes: Glad you liked it! I will be writing to one of your ideas soon! Keep reading!

Goofy monkey child: Will definitely try this one! Thanks and stay tuned!

Song: The Reason by Hoobastank

Requested by: Angel9220042004

I'm not a perfect person

There's many things I wish I didn't do

But I continue learning

I never meant to do those things to you

And so I have to say before I go

That I just want you to know

All his life, Vince LaSalle seemed to have it all together---great friends, great talent and a family that adored him. People envied him and wished that their lives could be as wonderful as his was---or seemed to have been. But that all began to change once Vince and his friends entered high school. Vince was now an all-star athlete, dating the cheerleading captain Ashley A. and was known as the resident party boy. Every weekend he would go out, getting high and getting so drunk that he would sometimes need to be carried home. People, especially his ex Recess gang, worried about him, but had no idea what to do to help him. They tried interventions and getting his family to help, but nothing seemed to work for him. It wasn't until an event happened that was so horrific that it actually shook some sense into him and made him realize how destructive his lifestyle truly was.

One night, after a party at Lawson's, he had gotten behind the wheel of his car and ended up getting into a major accident that killed the one person in life he truly lovedÑGretchen Grundler. Gretchen had been driving home from a girls night out with her best friend Spinelli when the car hit hers, killing her on impact. He was faced with not only jail time, but knowing he had killed an innocent person by doing something that was stupid and selfish. The night before he was to be sentenced, he sat outside, looking upon the stars, hoping that Gretchen would be able to hear him.

I've found a reason for me

To change who I used to be

A reason to start over new

and the reason is you

I'm sorry that I hurt you

It's something I must live with everyday

And all the pain I put you through

I wish that I could take it all away

And be the one who catches all your tears

Thats why I need you to hear

"Gretch," he whispered to himself as he stared into the starry sky. "I am so sorry this had to happen. If only I hadn't gotten behind the wheel that night, if only I had listened to Butch and taken a taxi home. Oh my gosh, I love you so much and now you are gone, all because of me and my stupidity. Now I have to live the rest of my life knowing that I killed you and it is something that hurts like hell." Vince paused for a moment to wipe the tears away from his eyes. "And that is the reason I have decided to change my life, starting with facing this jail sentence. I am no longer going to be the partying guy who is selfish and acts without thinking. I promise that I am going to get help for my alcohol and drug problem and try and live a better life, because I hurt you and the people who love you and I took away your life, and that is something that is going to stay with me for the rest of my life. "Because of you, I am going to try and fix my life and try and help others from making the mistake that hurt so many people. I love you, and I want to make sure people know how much you mean to me and what a wonderful person you are." Vince looked up at the stars one more time and walked inside, determined to make the right decision in changing his life----not only in Gretchen's memory, for himself as well.

I've found a reason for me

To change who I used to be

A reason to start over new

and the reason is You [x4]

I'm not a perfect person

I never meant to do those things to you

And so I have to say before I go

That I just want you to know

I've found a reason for me

To change who I used to be

A reason to start over new

and the reason is you

I've found a reason to show

A side of me you didn't know

A reason for all that I do

And the reason is you

Several years later, after serving jail time and spending time in rehab, Vince headed back to his old hometown for his brother Chad's wedding. As he drove down the familiar roads, he noticed a place where he knew he had to stop. Making a right turn, he pulled into the lot and parked his car. After walking around for awhile, he found what he was looking for and stopped. Kneeling down, he stared at the heart shaped tombstone and moved a flower display so he could read it better,

Gretchen Paula Grundler

Beloved Friend and Daughter

March 23 1989- May 30, 2004

"I may disapprove of what you have to say, but I with fight to death for your right to say it," Voltaire

RIP

As he stared at the tombstone for several minutes, he began to cry, looking back about how he could have prevented her death, how he robbed her of her dreams, how he robbed her family and friends of having such a wonderful person in their lives. He thought once again about his time in jail and in rehab, and how he had decided to change his life in Gretchen's honor. He knew he could never be perfect and he may never gain the forgiveness of her family and closest friends, but he knew in a strange sort of way, her death gave him one of the greatest gifts of all---a reason to take a look at his destructive life and give him a chance at changing the person he had become and hopefully being able to help others that were where he once was. Taking once last look at the tombstone, Vince stood up and stared at the sky, noticing a dove flying overhead, something that was so rare that Vince knew it was a sign from Gretchen letting him know that she was ok where she was and she was proud of him for trying t change his life. As the dove flew off, Vince whispered into the sky. "I love you Gretchen, thank you for giving me my life back." And with that, he walked out of the cemetery, grateful that the girl he loved, may she rest in peace, gave him the chance to live a better life.

A/N: Ehh, not too happy with this, but I hope it answered the challenge well enough! Hope you enjoy it and will send me lots of soul hugs! Thank you and happy reading!