Thank you so much for reviewing! I love when readers take a few minutes to tell me what they think and make my day.

Sorry the chapters are short, but it's just because before I really write the interaction, I just want you to get an idea of where each of the characters are coming from.

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Sometimes the way Summer looks at me just tears me apart. It's like she's silently screaming, 'Why won't you look at me, Coop? You're my best friend!' Like she's given up hope.

Summer would never say so, of course. No, Summer's the one who was always there for me.

First grade, when I fell of the swings and cut my knee on the woodchip, and Summer gave me a piggyback ride to Mrs. Darcy's office so I could get a band aid.

Seventh grade, when I was a little bit insecure, Summer gave me a hug, the kind only a best friend can give, and missed out on Regina Mathis's party of the year, the one she'd been talking about for weeks, just so she could be with me to make me feel better.

Or ninth grade, when Kelly McGinnis spread a nasty rumor about me and Luke, and Summer freaked and chewed her out in front of the whole school, then came back to comfort me.

And that's what's the worst. Summer was always there for me. She never failed me. And I can't do the same for her when she needs me most. I know I sound selfish. I know it sounds like I'm making excuses. But I can't help Summer when all I can do to keep myself from falling apart is trying to forget everything that happened in the past three weeks. I find myself repeatedly assaulted by the urge to go into Caleb's liquor cabinet and drink myself into oblivion, or at the very least, become blissfully inebriated. How can I possibly help her if I can't even help myself?

What she said two days ago really hurt me. "You never cared before, Marissa. Why the hell would you start now?" And her bitter words weren't what hurt me the most. It was that she called me 'Marissa'.

She hasn't called me that for years.

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jani- thank you so much for reviewing! It's always so encouraging when a reviewer tells

they like your story!

Mrs.AdamBrody- thanks for reviewing! it really motivated me to finish this next chapter.