So here is the much awaited next chapter. As some of you have seen, I've decided to tie in this story with July Jones, and I suggest reading that before this story, but if you really don't want to read JJ, e-mail me and I can try and write you a summary of the story. Anywho, now to the chapter.

I woke up the next morning chilled to the bone. I instantly panicked when I realized I wasn't in my bed but calmed down as I remembered where I was. I had fallen asleep in the tree. Stiffly, I climbed down and stretched out the kinks I had got from sleeping in the tree. I jogged down to my house in hopes of warming up a bit. I climbed back into my room and saw it was only 7:15, the time I normally wake up. Thank god for internal alarm clocks. I took a hot shower, got dressed and applied some heavy makeup to disguise the fading bruise on my jaw. There wasn't much I could do for the cuts on my cheek. I was a fast healer and they were already healing nicely. Nicely. There's nothing nice about them. I styled my hair to cover the right side of my face to further hide my bruise and cuts, which luckily were both on the same side.

I heard the alarm go off in the other room and quickly went to the kitchen. I made breakfast and coffee, setting them on the table just as my dad came in. He didn't say anything to me, just ate, drank his coffee and left. I ate some toast and cleaned up. Grabbing my school bag from my room I locked the front door and left to school.

The week passed by in a blur, finishing last minute projects and late night phone calls to Jay. We called each other at night since I had school and he had work. Friday the seniors were given a congratulations party, which was lame, but we were allowed to leave school early. I was so nervous about graduation. We had been having practices all week but I couldn't stop this fear I had that something bad was going to happen.

I woke up Saturday to find the house completely quiet. There hadn't been any problems Friday so I had stayed home since Jay had to work a double shift. I quietly crept into the kitchen to find a note on the fridge.

Erin,

Had to go on a business trip. Can't make your graduation. There is a box for you in the hall closet. Behave till I get back. Keep the house clean. There is some money in the envelop on the counter. I'll be home next Saturday at noon.

Dad

I slumped again the wall and began to cry as I finished reading the letter. I really shouldn't have cared if he was going to be there or not since he had done so much crap to me but it hurt. A lot. He was still my dad and I still needed him to be there.

I wiped my face dry on my sleeve and stood up. I spotted the envelope on the counter that looked rather bulky. I left it there and went down the hall to the closet. Opening it I found a box labeled Erin. Taking it with me I carried it to my room and sat on my bed. I opened it and found some of my mother's old things. A ring that I immediately put on and it fit perfectly on my right ring finger. I looked at the ring closely and remembered this was the ring that my grandma had given my mom on her graduation. I felt the tears come to my eyes but held them back.

There were a couple of pictures, most were of us but there was one I had never seen before. It was of my mom with another woman. She was as tall as my mom but she had honey eyes and jet-black hair. Her resemblance to my mom was uncanny. They looked like twins except my mom had darker brown eyes. Personally, I look like my mom. I had the same facial features, body built, and complexion, but had my dad's reddish-brown hair. But the lady in the picture could have easily passed as her twin or sister.

I checked the back of the picture and read, "Robin and Me." Robin had to be the name of the other lady since my mom's name was Caroline. I studied the picture again as the name Robin repeated in my head. It had to be a relative. I wouldn't be getting any answers soon since dad wasn't here, not that he would necessarily tell me anything. I'd be more afraid to ask because of his reaction. When it came to things about mom he either went postal or got depressed.

I look down at the box and pull out the last thing: a small wooden box. It's made out of beautiful cedar wood and the lid was carved with intricate designs and in the middle of it was my name. Opening the lid, I find green crushed velvet, a small mirror and a fairy standing on its tiptoes. The fairy's outfit is painted lilac and purple and her brown hair tumbles in waves as her wings poke through it, glitter making them reflect in the light. I immediately fell in love with it. I found the crank on the bottom and winded it up. A melody began to pour out of it and it sounded so hauntingly familiar, yet I couldn't place it. I shut the lid with a smile and put everything back in the box.

I was going to graduation by myself. Sadness filled me but then I thought of Jay and perked up a bit. I went about getting ready, taking a shower, getting dressed, and fixing my hair. I took out the dry cleaning bag from my closet, the maroon outfit seen clearly through the plastic. My mom's ring was a comforting weight on my finger and I knew she was with me.

Sitting around, I waited for the time to pass until I had to be at the high school. I had an hour to go when the phone rang. I sat up and grabbed the phone off my nightstand.

"Hello?"

"Hey Ms. Graduate! How's my favorite sister?" a familiar voice asked.

"Kyle, I'm your only sister so I have to be your favorite sister," I said back with a smile.

"Well, that's just logic and I'm not logical."

"Could have told you that," I mumbled.

"So how are you doing?" he asked turning serious.

"Nervous."

"That's a given. Dad going with you?"

"No," I said dejectedly.

"What! Why not?" Kyle asked in a raised tone.

"I got a note on the fridge this morning that said he had a business trip."

"That's crap. What an ass. I would be there if I was closer but…"

"I know," I said with a sigh.

"Well good luck with graduation, I know you'll do great," Kyle said with enthusiasm.

"Yeah, as long as I don't fall down on my face."

"Knowing you, you just might," he said with a laugh.

"Hey! I thought you were suppose to be calming me, not making me more nervous."

"Is Rachel and Megan walking with you?" he inquired.

"Yeah, we got to be the only group of three."

"Well, if you start to fall, just grab onto them and you'll all fall," he said with a laugh.

"Ha ha Kyle," I replied dryly.

"Sorry. Anyways, good luck and congratulations."

"Thanks."

"Mom would be proud of you," Kyle said and a silence followed.

"I better get going, I still have to get ready," I said wiping the tears that had gathered in my eyes.

"Okay, I love you."

"Love ya too."

"Bye."

"Bye," I said and hung up the phone. Grabbing my keys and my graduation outfit, I run out the door.

The high school was over crowded and I made it backstage, finding Rachel and Megan together.

"Hey guys," I said giving them each a quick hug.

"Come on, put on your gown," Rachel said fixing her cap. I take the gown out and slip it on.

"Who wants to zip me up?" I asked fluttering my eyelashes.

"I will," Megan said, zipping me up.

"Okay, time to lay some ground rules," Rachel starts. "One, no crying, two, no depressed thoughts, and three, no crying. Got it?"

"Got it," Megan and I said back.

"Hey! Three musketeers! We're lining up!" someone yells from the front. Looping an arm in each other's, we made our way to the front and lined up.

The auditorium air was warm as everyone was crammed together. Coming in from the side doors, I searched the room for Jay and a sliver of fear worked its way into my chest as I couldn't find him. Convincing myself the he was just lost in the crowd, I kept going, taking my seat as the principal began to talk.

The ceremony was long and it felt like forever before I was walking across the stage and receiving my diploma. I could hear Megan and Rachel cheering as a polite applause came from the crowd. I looked out to see if I could spot Jay and was disappointed when I couldn't. Taking my seat once again, I cheered for Megan and Rachel as they walked the stage.

The principal finally pronounces our class and everyone throws off their caps. I toss mine halfheartedly and catch it on its way down. The band starts up the graduation march as we file out. We are given another speech backstage before we're released. I quickly lose Rachel and Megan as they find their families and the crowd swallows me up. I search frantically for Jay and am almost in tears when I reach the end of the crowd and can't find him. Suddenly I'm grabbed by the arm and I turn in hopes, thinking it was Jay. I quickly cover my disappointment with a smile as I am confronted by Megan instead.

"Come on, we want to take some pics together," she said pulling me. Almost everyone has left by the time Megan's parents quit taking pictures and I turn to my two friends.

"Have either of you seen Jay?"

"No why?" Rachel asked.

"He was supposed to show."

"Maybe he got stuck at work?" Megan suggested and I latched onto the idea, refusing to think anything different. After a drawn out goodbye, I headed home.

As soon as I stepped in the door, I picked up the phone and called Jay's cell: no answer. Trying his house next, I got the same thing. Pacing the room, I tried to figure out where he was. I quickly took off my cap and gown and grabbed my keys again. My knot of fear had doubled and I couldn't help but feel like something was wrong.

Peeling out in my car, I did a quick sweep of the town before heading over to his house. I knocked on his front door but no one answered. Hoping his window might be open, I headed over to his room. Fortunately, it was open and I could see Jay in bed, his back facing me. I almost broke out into hysterical giggles as I climbed my way in and walked over to his bed.

"Hey, what happened…" to you died on my lips as Jay rolled over and I could see someone else in the bed next to him; a female someone else, and a naked one at that. I stood in shock as Jay's eyes opened.

"Erin, what…" Hay turned and looked in the direction of my stare.

"Oh my god," I whispered as a silent tear fell down my cheek.

"Erin, it's not what you think," Jay said as he sits up, the sheets falling down and I can see he's completely naked.

"Oh, it's not, is it? Then why are you naked?"

"Look, I can explain," Jay says as he looks away, searching for some pants.

"I don't think there's much to explain," I said sadly as I backed away. Jay finds some shorts and jams them on. Walking towards me, he stretches out his hand and I recoil closer to the window.

"Erin, I…" Jay starts as he drops his hands.

"Please, just don't. Anything you say is just going to make this worse."

"But-."

"No, we're done," I said in a strong voice. "Don't call me," I said as I scrambled out the window. Slamming my car door, I screech from his house as the front door opens and Jay runs out after me. I push down harder on the gas and the need to get as far away as possible consumes me.

I drive for an hour before heading back home. I park my car and take in the darken house; no one is there for me. I slid out of my seat and head out back to my secret spot, climbing up into me spot and think. The day drags on as I become numb.

Laying in the darkness, I allow myself to be shadowed by the blackness of the night. The moonlight shines through the leaves of the willow tree. The smooth bark was cold against my skin. All was quiet except the wind that blew softly creating the gently rustle of the leaves. How long had I been sitting here, hiding myself within the tree? Who knew; time seemed immeasurable at the moment. This was the place that calmed me down so why wasn't it working?

I hear a twig being broken and sit up, alert. I climb down and peer out, instantly regretting it. Jay is standing a few feet in from of me with a bouquet of flowers. Taking a deep breath, I step out from the shelter of the tree and cross my arms.

"What do you want?" I asked and I could see Jay flinch at the coldness in my voice.

"Erin, you have to let me explain," Jay said taking a step closer. He holds out the flowers to me. I offer an insincere smile before grabbing them and throwing them on the ground, stomping on them.

"I can't believe you," I finally ground out.

"Look, it was a big mistake, what I did, and I know that," Jay said looking at the ground.

"How long?"

"What?" Jays asked looking up.

"How long?"

"This was the first time," he admits.

"Guess I was lucky then, catching you on the first time," I said bitterly.

"It wasn't like that."

"Just answer me one question: why? I mean, I saw that she was prettier than me but why?"

"It wasn't that she was prettier than you or anything like that."

"Then why?" I demand.

"Because I was scared!" Jay yells.

"What?" I asked confused.

"I was scared, alright? You had just said the 3 words and then I panicked. We went to the amusement park and I meet Lauren-."

"When I lost you," I said finishing his sentence.

"Yeah, and it wasn't like I meant to. It was just you said the 'L' word and I panicked," he said repeating himself.

"And that gives you means to cheat on me with a girl you've known for a week?"

"Yes, no! You just said that word and I…"

"So this is all my fault then?" I asked indignantly.

"No! I was stupid, me, it was my fault."

"Well, at least your man enough to admit that," I said looking away.

"Look, I came to say sorry. I was hoping you could forgive me and we could still be together. I know I hurt you and I'm sorry. I love you," Jay said looking up into my eyes. It was a bittersweet moment; I'd finally heard the words I longed to hear and it hurt me more than anything to hear them. I closed my eyes as I tried to control my emotions.

"Go away," I finally said so quietly, I wasn't sure I had said it out loud.

"What?"

"Go away,' I repeat.

"But Erin I thought…" Jay trails off.

"Jay, you don't realize what you've done, do you? I trusted you completely. I let you take care of me when my dad hit me; I gave you my innocence and you betrayed me. And I told you that you didn't have to say it back! I told you that I understood about you not being ready to say it!" I shout.

"Just because you say that doesn't mean you weren't expecting me to say it back," Jay said heatedly.

"It didn't! I never expected any of this. I didn't know I would feel this way about you and I never expected anything back from you! So don't tell me what I expect because you've just shown me today that you don't love me, you don't know me, and that you don't respect me."

"You know that a bunch of crap!" he yelled stepping closer.

"I do? That's why you cheated on me? Huh? Just say the truth! I never meant anything to you. I was just another little conquest for you!" I shout and let out a yelp of pain as Jay hit me. I touch my lip and pull back a blood covered finger.

"Oh my god Erin, I am so sorry," Jay said as a look of horror appears on his face and he stares down at his hand.

"Leave, right now!" I scream at the top of my lungs as tears begin to cling to the edges of my eyes. "You piece of crap! I never want to see you again!" Jay takes one last sorrow filled look at me before taking off down the hill.

My knees buckles and I fall to the ground, curling into a ball and letting myself go. The grass absorbs my blood and tears as sobs rack my body. Rolling onto my back, I stare at the sky. The world seems so big; it was like I was in a giant snow globe. It hit me then how alone I was. Everyone I loved had left or hurt me. I couldn't blame my mom for leaving since she died in a car crush when a drunk driver hit her; that's why I found it so ironic that Dad started to drink after the accident.

Kyle had left because of my dad and if I looked hard enough, I would find my slight bitterness and resentment towards him for leaving me. But now I had lost Jay, my rock, my protector. I was a girl alone in a big world. I couldn't stay here with all the memories swirling around me. Wiping the tears and blood from my face, I stood up and headed to my house; I had a plan.

So that's the end of this chapter, hope you enjoyed it, and oh look a little button for you to let me know what you thought! heh!