Chapter 10

School was rough that day. I had two classes with Andy which he didn't attend, but I couldn't stop thinking about him. I really did love him and I thought he loved me, but maybe I was wrong.

After my class I went to my locker and opened it. A rose fell into the floor out of my locker. I picked it up. It had a card attached. I pushed my books into my locker and got the ones I had homework in and closed the locker. I leaned back against it as I read the card.

Jade,

I'm sorry if I hurt you in anyway. I really do love you.

You are something so precious and rare and I would never

want to loose you. I don't know how to fix all the mistakes I

have made in the past few days and I don't know how to stop

anymore from happening. People always told me that as long

as I had love I had enough. I thought it was bull until I met

you. You are truly special and you making me choose, was

probably best for both of us. Can I have a second chance,

Please? I need this Jade. More than anything.

Love always,

-Andy

I really didn't know what to think. I felt like crying, laughing, hitting someone, all of it at once. Should I give him a second chance or shouldn't I? I told him it was me or the drugs. He didn't actually choose, I mean, well he kinda did, but not really.

I picked up my books and walked towards the exit door to find my dad and go home. Just before I opened the door, Andy stepped in front of me.

"Hey.." he said avoiding my eyes.

"Hi." I said.

"Jade listen..I'm sorry. Really I am." He tried to explain.

"Andy, I need time to think. Just give me room to breathe. " I said pushing past him and out the door.

"Jade..please..give me a second chance. "

"I don't know Andy. I just don't know. " with that said I walked quickly to Dad's truck and climbed in. He looked at me.

"You and Andy made up?"

"Far from it daddy. Far from it. " I stated. He didn't ask what I meant though. I knew he wouldn't. If he didn't have to know he wouldn't ask. I sighed as we rode home in the old pick up truck, I didn't know what to do nor how to do it.

"Daddy?" I asked.

"Yea?" he asked, not looking away from the road.

"If I tell you something, you promise not to be judgmental?"

"I ain't promisin' nothing." He said looking at me.

"Well anyway. I went to school this morning and I thought Andy had stopped selling drugs and all that, but then he took me to the back parking lot and was selling them again. I told him it was me or the drugs and when he told another guy he had some, I took that as his choice." He nodded.

"But then, I found a note in my locker that was apologizing and everything. He said he needs his second chance. He says..well here.. You read it." I said handing him the note as he pulled to a stop in the driveway. He read it for a moment and then looked at me.

"Jade, I don't want you around him when he's selling drugs. If he wants to give that up for you, then fine, but if not.." he said before I cut him off.

"Daddy, what if he can't?" I asked.

"What do you mean can't?"

"Well the gang fight is tonight and I don't even know if he has seen Jason since he was attacked. I don't even know what is going on in his head. I don't even know if he is on our side in the fight." I explained.

"You think Jason is still making him do whatever he wants him too. " I nodded.

"Well just have to wait and see. I can't make him do anything and neither can you, so let's just wait. " he stated as I opened my door.

"Okay daddy." I stated. I climbed out of the car as he handed me the note back and we walked into the house.

"Fight starts in two hours boys. Be ready." Steve said.

"I'm getting to old for this.." Darry laughed.

"Nah, come on Dar. Your still the most ripped out of all of us." Sodapop said laughing.

"Yea. I guess that's true." Darry stated, smirking. I laughed at all of them. It was just too cute. A bunch of old men comparing abs. Then there was a knock on the door.

"I got it." I walked over to the door and there was Andy.

"Jade.." he started.

"Yea?" I asked.

"I don't know what you think about me right now and I know you told me to leave you alone, but I can't. "

"Are you gonna stop selling drugs?" I asked.

"Jade..I can't.." I had already decided that it was me or them.

"Then I have nothing to say to you." I stated.

"Jade..listen. I just came to ask you if you wanted to come with me. Im leaving. Im leaving town. There is nothing left here for me, but you. Will you come with me?" He asked. I looked at him shocked.

"Leaving?" I asked.

"Leaving." He stated.

"Andy. I can't." I said.

"Jade come on. We can have everything. Just come with me." I shook my head. He took my hands.

"Jade I love you and I'm not taking no for an answer." He said, as he pushed me up against the wall. I looked at him. He looked determined.

"I said I'm not going." I replied trying to pull out of his grasp.

"I said you are." He began pulling me out of the house. I felt a hand on my shoulder and Andy stop. I looked back and saw daddy.

"She said she aint leavin. You go on ahead and don't touch my daughter again." He stated. Andy dropped my hands and looked up at my dad fearfully.

"Good bye Jade." He said turning and walking away. I watched him walk out of my life and knew it was for the best. As I told you before. Life is fast paced and you have to hang on to survive. Stuff happens and new days begin, fading away with the old ones, but one thing is for sure: Things Change Constantly.