A/N: No response for this chapter either- how sad it is…This story has so much drama and many of the events actually happened. I hope I still have readers- even a hello for a review would be nice to know that you still care…

Lyrics/Title taken from Our Lady Peace's song "Are You Sad"… Reviews are always welcome- in fact, I encourage them!

Are You Sad?

Your life has been so hard
It's been dried up angels that can't keep guard
I'm trying to reach your hand
But I'm on fire
I never planned to fade... away

They say that once you've hit rock bottom, you can't fall any deeper, that once you've reached that point in your life, things can either go up or just level off. But how do we know we're going to reach rock bottom or that we're even close if we don't know what it is? How do we know that we can't fall harder and hurt more than we do in that bad moment of our lives that makes us feel like it's the end of the world? How do we make our lives better, how do we know it can get better?

The tears poured from both of their eyes as they sat in the doorway of Brian's house just holding each other. It was as if they were afraid to let go, that if they actually released each other, it would finally be the end of them both. Things couldn't get worse, how could they? They were lost without each other but found themselves torn when they were together. It hurt to be with him, it hurt to be without her.

They clung to each other like it was the end of the world, holding on for dear life before the universe pulled them apart for good. Somehow they both knew this was their last chance together- their last chance to understand that it wouldn't work. The last chance to finally let go and understand that it was for the best. The last chance to hurt and love at the same time and be in each other's arms.

But now it was time to let go, it was time to finally say goodbye, no matter how much it hurt, no matter how much it tore them up inside. And it was his turn to say it, he had to be the man, the strong one. He had to stop the hurt for her, and mainly for him. And so, he did…he would…

"Baby, stop crying," he pulled back from her as he wiped the tears from her cheeks and kissed her lightly on the forehead.

"How can I stop full well knowing this is the end?" Rory cried into his shoulder once more, still tightly wound in his arms.

"We've got to stop this... this madness. It hurts too much and I know it's hurting you even more," he linked his fingers with her own as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I can't let go of you Scott, I love you… your smile, the feel of your hands on me when we dance…your husky voice in the morning…I don't know what I'd do without that," she laughed despite the sadness of it all. Saying goodbye was hard to do, no matter how clichéd, it never stopped the burning pain.

"I knew the moment I heard your voice this morning that you wanted this to work. I knew that it was killing you inside to have to choose pain over happiness. And I want to make you happy, I just don't think I'm capable," he looked deeply into her clouded eyes caressing her cheek, holding back from all of the desires his body had for her.

"How can I say goodbye, I can't leave like this…not like this," her eyes welled up again and he couldn't take it. He had two options: 1) Look away and leave her to cry; or 2) Do something drastic. So being himself, he took the latter and crashed his lips to hers in an attempt to satisfy her needs with his desires.

Stay with me
Stop pretending when they say that you're nothing

She kissed back hungrily- hoping for something to make all the pain they felt go away, something to ease the hurt, the pain and her broken heart. But it didn't help, it just clouded her thoughts, she didn't know what she wanted anymore. She had gotten lost in the driven passion that he kissed her with that her mind was complete mush, just like her heart. She smiled against his lips at the thought- he had always made her brain into mush in his sense knocking kisses. She pulled back to look at him for the last time, the last time she would love someone so much but hate them enough that it hurt to look at them.

"Goodbye Scott, don't ever forget me," she stood up slowly as the blood rushed o her head. She steadied herself against the door, leaning thoughtfully to look at the mess she had made him. In the whole time she had known Scott, she'd never really seen him in pain, that emotional heart wrenching "I-want-to-kiss-it-and-make-it-better" type pain that she felt for him now. He looked up at her and gave her a smile that teetered dangerously on peaceful.

Are you sad?
Are you holding yourself?
Are you locked in your room?
You shouldn't be..

And maybe he was at peace, knowing he wouldn't be the one that hurt her anymore. It would be good to know that she wouldn't have to be the pain giver anymore; he could just stand on the sidelines and watch her as she was made happy. He hoped she'd be happy, that she'd find someone who was worthy of the tiny girl with so much love for the world. Someday she'd find it, but for now, he was happy to know that she wasn't hurting from what could have been between them.

"I could never forget you," he replied softly and then she was gone. She had traveled down the steps and made her way home, or away- away from him, for good? Well, not for ever, but at least for now.

The grocery store was warm and inviting as she searched the shelves for the perfect party food. It was Kimiko's idea to get herself dating again- and throwing a party was apparently the perfect way to do this. She said that after six months of having said goodbye, she should be over it by now. And Rory was, at least she hoped she was.

Her life had been on the upswing for quite awhile now. She'd passed with tremendous grades and was now living with Kimiko and Katie in an apartment in New Haven. Life sure was funny these days- she never pegged herself as the party girl, but lately that's what she'd been- life of the party!

So here she was harmlessly shopping for groceries when some guy nearly knocked her on her ass. She steadied herself and gave a menacing glare to the knocker guy and smiled when she saw his face.

"Sorry," he mumbled shyly and helped her pick up the items she'd dropped.

"It's okay, but I do think you owe me," Rory replied. Who was this girl and since when was she all blunt?

"Definitely, name your price," he smiled broadly at her. She studied him momentarily; he had dark hair and bright eyes- very cute face. He seemed a bit shy, but hell, so was she. He was a definite possibility in her "Get-over-Scott" campaign.

"Come to my party tonight," she smiled shyly.

"Oh, okay. But that's hardly paying you back," he smiled as she grabbed his hand and scribbled her number and address on it.

"Oh, but it would be nice if you came. I'm Rory by the way," she held out her hand formally which he shook.

"Ben, now if you'll excuse me- I do have a few groceries to get, so I'll have to continue this lovely conversation with you tonight. Goodbye Rory," he smiled at her and turned the corner leaving her beaming. She hadn't felt this happy in- well a long time!

Just when she thought she was on top of the world it seemed to spin and knock her off. There in front of her stood the one boy she'd been able to avoid for six months, the one guy she hadn't even talked to for five of those months.

"Hey Eiren," she smiled weakly up at him as the blonde under his arm smiled excitedly.

"Hey Rory. Did you ever meet Paris- this is Paris," he said pointing to the bouncy blonde.

"Oh my goodness, I have heard so many wonderful things about you Rory- you write for the school paper right? Well Eiren here keeps telling me how proud he is to know you! What has your summer been like? Oh we should go shopping sometime, wouldn't that be swell?" the blonde rambled and rambled until Rory was ready to punch the girl in the face.

"Haha, I'm sure. So I have to get going, nice to meet you Paris, by Eiren," she attempted to turn and walk the other way until she heard the blonde yell something from behind. "What was that?" Rory asked spinning around.

"I forgot to tell you that we're getting married. Would you be one of my bridesmaids?"

Rory's head began to spin as she looked at the blonde. Since when did Eiren just up and get married like that? Let alone get engaged after what, like a few months of knowing the girl.

"I know I don't know you all that well, but it would mean so much to us both if you'd do me the honor," the blonde smiled happily and couldn't refuse the pout the woman in front of her gave her.

"Okay, I'll be your bridesmaid. Um, here's my number, keep in touch," Rory said bashfully handing the woman a card and walking away as quickly as possible. She made it all the way to the junk food isle before running into anyone else. As she stared down the floor in front of her she walked quickly and hit something. Looking up she was nearly knocked on her feet.

"Hi Rory," he said dropping his arm from the whore beside him.

"Scott, hi…" she looked to her feet again and turned her attention to the candy. "They have great candy here. I'm going to get some, yeah," she grabbed a few bags of chips and then licorice and some chewy things and tried to walk away.

"Wow Rory, I know you and your mom eat a lot, but even that looks like too much for you," Scott pointed to her cart filled to the brim.

"Oh, well I'm having a gathering…" she said not wanting to get further into it.

"Oh that's awesome. So, I better let you get back to your gathering shopping," he replied with a smile and took of in search of the whore he was with earlier.

Rory sighed deeply and smiled as she made her way to the checkout. That hadn't been as bad as she expected- maybe next time it would even be less awkward. Things were still on the upswing and nothing could bring her down now- or could they? Please review and stay tuned!