So, like I promised, here's the fifth chapter, posted on the same day as the fourth. Aren't you lucky? J/P. I did most of this at school so it may be kinda rushed, you know teachers. "Pencils down class. Pay attention." Something like that anyway. So let me know what you think. I know it's not my best, but I'd still appreciate some feedback. Thanks. One last note. Erica mentions her father in this chapter. Some of you will question my continuity between this and the first chapter, but rest assured, it will all be explained later. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~

Todd stared at his feet as Erica finished her story. Charlie had wrapped his arms around Erica and

Knox was sniffing back tears. Pitts, out of courtesy, said nothing. But Meeks, eyes huge behind his glasses,

couldn't stop himself. "Oh my God. Why didn't you ever tell us, Todd?" Todd looked up, studying his

friend's faces. Dalton was busy with Erica, Knox had his head in his hands. Meeks' eyes were shimmering

with tears, and Pitts wouldn't even look at him. "I didn't tell you because it's not true."

Knox' head snapped up and he quickly wiped the tears from his eyes. Charlie pulled his arms back.

"All that was made up?" Erica smiled. "Yeah. We went to the same school. My friend Mike set us up on a

blind date."

Knox had known Charlie for ten years and could read him easily. When he saw the hurt on

Charlie's face, the words just came out of his mouth. "I think the meeting's over for tonight, guys." Meeks

and Pitts were first out of the cave. Knox and Todd followed.

Erica and Charlie sat in the cave for what seemed like forever. Erica searched for something to say and

she knew he was doing the same. Finally he stood up and ran out of the cave. Erica ran after him, ducking to

avoid the branches. She grabbed his arm as soon as she caught up with him. "Charlie! Please wait." Charlie

spun around. "What the hell is your problem?!?!" Erica drew her arm back. "I'm sorry. It was just a joke."

Dalton turned and began walking back towards Welton, tossing over his shoulder, "Death is not a joke!"

Erica ran after him, again. "I know." Dalton spun around once again. "I don't think you do. My best friend

killed himself last year. Death isn't fair and it isn't a joke!" Erica smiled weakly. She couldn't believe what he'd

just said. He was treating her like a child. "You can be a real asshole sometimes." Dalton smirked.

"What? Did I hurt your feelings?: They both started walking towards the dorms again, side by side.

They were standing at the doors before Erica spoke again, her hand on the doorknob. "My parents died in a

car accident when I was ten. A man was drunk....driving on the wrong side of the road....they didn't even see

him until it was too late. My grandpa died of cancer when I was thirteen. My grandma of grief a year later.

So don't talk to me about fair." With that, she pulled open the door and ran up the stairs.