A/N: Hey! T'is Chris and Jassy! (Crystal – And Jazz looking good with her new and awesome hair cut might I add.) (Jazz – And Chris looking totally cutterz with her new main squeeze Matty I should say.)

Mrs. Nikki Slater

CHRIS: I know I feel bad for Suze too! And by the way, JESSE IS MINE! MINE I say! YOU CAN'T HAVE HIM!

JAZZ: Yeah, pobresita de Suze! By the way, don't even think about taking Jesse away from Chris here. She'll turn into the Incredible Hulk and frickin' massacre you or something. Or Paul, for that matter. He is MINE, so if you want to live to see your grandkids, I suggest you change your last name, cuz don't even think about it, BUSTER! Teehee.

Little TinkerBell Girl

CHRIS: Former reviewer, eh? Cool! The feather pen was totally Jas! Wasn't it funny? I was reading it and I sprayed out all of my soda onto the computer screen, I was laughing so hard. Same as the shoe! (Wow, I really didn't do much on that chappy huh?) Thanks so much for your review!

JAZZ: Wow, you really liked my shoe thing, huh? Thanks! I'm glad you liked. Your review made me feel WAY special! And this WHOLE chappie was done by Chris. Kudos for you, girlie girl! By the way, I love your username. Tinkerbell is, like, a total gangster! Thanks for reviewing.

somerandom

CHRIS: GASP! Oh my god Jaz, SHE HAS A PEN! Quick before she kills us, RUUUUUUNN . . . . .

JAZZ: .Holy moses! TAKE FLIGHT! SKEDDADDLE! SCRAM! BOLT! SKEDADDLE! VAMOOSE! FLY THE COOP! HEAD FOR THE HILLS! AHHH! . . .

Alexalily

CHRIS: Yay! Thanks for loving it! Here's that update . . .

JAZZ: Wow, suspense? Neat! Thanks for reviewing.

-8-

Suze

I hadn't even realized that I had fallen asleep until I was waking up. Narrowing my eyes since they weren't ready for all that sunlight, I groggily sat up and wondered why the hell I was on a rock.

Oh yeah, THAT.

The events of last night came flooding back and they squeezed my heart with sorrow. The sunny morning was suddenly a lot duller.

I guess I should go back and try and find Father D.

I made the climb down the rock, still bare foot, and down the hill.

There weren't many people around since I'm guessing it was 5 a.m., but the people who were on early morning errands stopped to stare at the girl who was bare foot, messy-haired, and wearing a dress that looked like it had been a costume for Little Bo Peep from hell.

In other words, they were all gawking at me.

But I really didn't notice or care for that matter. I had other things on my mind.

Every memory of me and Jesse was running through my head. Every moment we shared together since I first met him. I wanted to remember them all, to make sure that I would never forget them. ANY of them. Because that's all I had left of him.

His memory.

I wondered if the present had changed in other stuff because we had changed the past. Maybe it's like that movie, "Back to the Future". Michael J. Fox did one little thing, and it changed the present significantly. Was that what will happen to us?

Did we somehow stop the invention of something? Prevented a birth? A love?

Oh yeah, mine.

The walk back was a long one. Or maybe it just felt like that because I was walking slowly on purpose. The longer I stalled, the later I would have to face the facts.

However, the walk did give me time to think. And let me tell you, thinking SUCKS!

No, really, it does. I hate it almost as much as crying. I hate all that stupid reflection stuff. Like how much happier I would have been if I would have never gone through with this. It WAS my decision, right?

Thinking was also scary. It produced a whole lot of regret and doubt. And now that I had already done it, I didn't want to regret it. What good would come of it? There was NO WAY I could change what I had done. And the regret just made me realize it all the more.

Yup, thinking definitely sucked.

I decided to try and shut my brain off.

Needless to say, it didn't work.

Stupid brain.

Don't ask me where I was going. Because, honestly, I didn't know. My legs take me wherever and I just follow along. I think it's easier that way.

There's less thinking involved.

I felt so tired and so . . . I don't know, emotionally drained. Like all that crying last night was my energy, and it had all leaked out of me.

I looked up to find myself staring at the field where me and Father D. had started the time travel. And I spotted him sitting underneath a tree.

I walked up to him and he offered me a smile and motioned next to him. I plopped myself down beside him and rested my head on his shoulder. It was like he was waiting for me to come.

"How'd you know I was coming," I asked him after awhile.

Father Dom started to smooth my hair down and he didn't talk for a long time. I thought he didn't hear me and I was about to repeat what I said when he finally spoke. "Because I know you Susannah. I know you always do the right thing." This didn't technically explain anything, but I knew what he meant. Where else was I supposed to go? He knew I wasn't going back to see Jesse. "You're a good girl."

For some reason, this made me feel a lot better.

We sat like that for a long time, listening to each other's breathing. I think I might have even fallen asleep for a while when Father D. said, "Are you ready?"

I knew I wasn't. But then, when would I ever be?

"Yes," I replied. He got up and pulled me up with him. I wondered if people would notice two people standing there one second and then gone the next, but Father D. said we'd do it in the forest to avoid anyone seeing us.

Turning around, I noticed a 'forest' behind the field we were on. It was actually just a few trees but I guess it could conceal us pretty well.

Father D. went over to a bush and pulled out a green duffle bag.

Wow, I could learn a thing or two from this guy. I didn't even notice him hiding it when we first came. And it was camouflaged too. If Father Dom wasn't a, you know, priest and all, I thought he would make a pretty good thief. I could totally see him as one of "Ocean's Thirteen" or something. He'd be perfect for going under cover since no one would expect him.

But then, I don't think he'd really be into that kind of stuff. It's too bad really. Waste of talent.

Hey, I'm really weird. Not like it's a surprise but . . . yeah. I'm going to try that brain shutting off thing again.

As I stood there, trying NOT to think, Father D. knocked me on the side of my head causing me to glare at him like he was mad. Which might have been true because, WHO DOES THAT I ASK YOU!

Sheesh!

"I apologise Susannah but you wouldn't answer me after the tenth time I called you." Yeah, right. Father D. kept talking, "Now, I can't set a protective barrier with the sheets as I did last time, but I can only hope the tress will provide a refuge."

What the hell was he saying?

He must have caught my confused looked since he said, "Do you understand what you must do Susannah?" He said this very slowly like he was talking to a two year old or something.

Honestly what does he take me for?

"Of course I do Father Dom." Oh wait, no I don't. I wasn't listening.

Heh . . .

"Umm, wait, so can you like break it down for me, uh – again?" I gave him my best smile for which in return he looked quite cynical.

And he's supposed to be a priest.

He sighed and said, "All you have to do Susannah is read that," He nodded towards my hand. I looked down and was surprised to find my left hand holding an old-looking piece of paper. Opening it I realized it was Latin.

Once again I smiled up at Father Dom, but this time it was a grateful one. He smiled back and said, "If everything goes according to plan, you should arrive in your room and me in the rectory one hour after we left. It will be 1 a.m. and I hope no one noticed we were gone.

Yeah, I bet no one would.

Those words stung a little but Father D. didn't notice and I was determined not to break down in front of him.

We walked for about five minutes among the trees until we found a clearing. It looked like it hadn't been visited for a long time and I took that as a good sign.

"Remember Susannah, we did the right thing," Father Dom's words were lacking conviction like he himself didn't quite believe it. So instead of making me feel better like he had intended, it only made me feel worse.

-8-

Jesse

I was walking along the halls of the Mission Academy with nothing else better to do when I felt it. A sudden sharp pang in the center of my chest. I felt like I could not breathe.

Wait. Why do I feel as if I need to breathe when I have not done so for 150 years?

I couldn't answer the question when something interrupted my thoughts: more pain.

Thump thump. Thump thump. Thump thump. My heart. Why is it beating? As blood flowed through my bone-dry veins and pumped throughout my entire body, I could not think clearly. Even though blood was reaching my brain and functioning properly.

What is going on? As blood flowed and coursed all through my corpse, it felt like tiny ants were running through my veins; like someone was bashing my head with a metal hammer; and as if a person were bashing me with – how do you say . . . 'wooden baseball bat'?

I am supposed to dead. Why do I feel as if I'm alive?

I had to lean against the wall opposite me in order to sustain my balance. Unfortunately, it did no good whatsoever since I collapsed to the floor in a heap and jammed my eyes shut from the agonizing pain.

All of a sudden, the pain stopped. I came to my feet and tried to keep my balance when I felt a bit light-headed.

Then, out of nowhere, I felt like I was being pulled back. Or as if someone grabbed me by my shoulders and pulled me back into thin air. I cannot really explain, just that I felt as if I was falling . . . falling into an everlasting ditch. All was black. I closed my eyes and tried to dematerialize out of this bizarre state of being when out of the blue, I stopped.

When I opened my eyes, I was back in my old bedroom in my house on the ranch, sitting up in my bed. I was wearing only my trousers. With sunlight streaming in through the windows, I squinted a little, and realized I was alive.

When the events of what happened last night came flooding into my mind, all I did was thank God I was alive and well, thanks to a young girl so stunning and who had the most beautiful and mesmerizing green eyes I had ever seen in all my life. She most definitely reminded me of someone but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. All I wished was that I could have gotten to known her.

Hopefully, I'll run into her sometime and we'll talk and get to know each other . . .

-8-

Suze

I woke up the next morning to the sound of my alarm clock. I shut it off, having no intention of waking up at 6 a.m. or going to school at all.

Pulling my blanket up around me, I suddenly felt very cold. My room was being taken over by a creeping morning fog. It was weird because that hadn't happened since the first day I came to California. The window was always closed in the morning so that the fog or the cold had no chance of getting in. It had only happened my first night here and, well, today.

Getting up, my feet hit the hard floor and I made my way over to my window. Looking out I saw a beautiful city, a gorgeous view of the ocean, and the most amazing sunrise that caused the whole sky to turn shades of orange, purple, and pink.

Looking out at a view like that didn't make me feel good, no; it made me feel so inferior and small. I felt so ugly compared to something so beautiful. And I felt so lonely, not being able to share this with anyone.

The feeling of loneliness got bigger until I wrapped my arms around my body trying to comfort myself. Suddenly I didn't want to be alone. I couldn't bear it. I knew if I didn't talk to someone or have someone show ANY affection towards me, I would, I would . . .

. . . Uhh-

Well, I didn't know exactly what I would do, but it wouldn't be good, that's for sure.

Quickly running to my closet, I grabbed the first thing that matched. A pair of American Eagle beige baggy pants and my green tee with the picture of a big canoe on it. I don't know why I had the urge to look like I was going camping, but whatever. Blame the hormones.

Um . . . yes because hormones control your fashion sense?

Ugh.

ANYWAY, I didn't feel like putting on any make up or uh . . . shower for that matter. All I wanted to do was talk to another human being. Probably Cee.

What was I going to say to her anyway?

She didn't even know about Jesse . . . much.

I decided I'd figure out what to say when I actually saw her. Grabbing my bag, I made my way down the stairs and into the kitchen. It was only about six twenty so no one was up yet. I grabbed a Special K bar and left a note for mom telling her I was walking to school and that I didn't need a ride. I didn't mention why.

I just needed the fresh air I guess. I wanted to clear my head. I knew the thinking would automatically come with the walk and that sucked but I figured it would come no matter what.

Outside, the city was just waking up. Filling my lungs with the cool air, I exhaled and prepared myself for the day to come.

It was no use.Immediately my mind wondered over to Jesse.

Ughh, I hate this! I am so desperate! I just wanted to do anything to try and not think about the pain of losing him.

I looked down at my outfit and suddenly got an idea. My hair was in a ponytail so there was no threat of the fog increasing its volume by 200 percent and I was wearing my oldest, comfiest sneakers.

I decided I would run some of the way.

I loved running. The rush of adrenaline left no room for thoughts or worries. I used to be on the track team in New York. Gina was too. It was the only sport that I liked and was actually good at and it felt good to channel my built-up emotions into something positive. It was really the only thing normal in my life.

No one at the mission knows I can run. Gym was never a compulsory course so I never took it. And no matter how much mom urged me, I never joined the track team here.

It just felt like I was trying to prove myself if I joined the team. And I didn't want to be someone who ran for other people.

No, running was for myself and I didn't want to do anything that would jeopardize losing that. God knows I've already lost enough.

It felt good to push myself. I decided to run the whole way and not just a part of it. I'd go into the girls' change room and take a quick shower there before going off to 1st period.

For a while I just listened to the steady beat of my heart and my feet hitting the pavement. My face started to get hot and my muscles started to scream.

I loved this part.

The pain you experience in running isn't like ordinary pain. This pain feels good. It can't hurt you, only make you stronger. I welcome this kind of pain.

I started to slow down when I saw the school coming up. The sound of the intervals of my feet hitting the ground became slower, more spaced out and my heartbeat became slower as I came to a stop, panting at the front door.

Pushing it slowly open I made my way to the girls' locker room. It was usually locked this early in the morning but the school had these really cheap locks that any idiot could pick.

I looked around making sure any teachers hadn't come early to mark any tests or something before I took a bobby pin out of my hair and stuck it into the lock. Feeling around until I reached the end of the hole, I turned the pin forcefully causing the lock to click open.

I use the change rooms all the time even though girls who don't take gym aren't allowed to. The bathrooms are cleaner and it smells better. And plus, you can hear EVERYTHING.

By everything I mean, every possible detail you wanted or did not want to know about every single person who goes to this school. How? Well, for reasons beyond my comprehending, Kelly and her 'friends' take gym, and while they change, the most humiliating secrets about other people come out of their mouths at this time.

In other words, the girl's change room is gossip central.

It's not like I want to hear all those horrible things about other people that probably aren't even true. It's just that one time I heard something totally, absolutely ridiculous about me and I want to make sure that never happens again . . . ?

Ugh, fine. I can't stop okay?

I can't help wanting to know the latest stuff about other people. I don't know if that makes me a bad person, but it's true.

I chose the last cubicle for the shower and stripped down so I was naked. My skin was still burning from the rush of blood of the run so I turned the cold tap on full-force and I soaked in the water.

I massaged the shampoo I had brought with me into my scalp while I relished the feel of the ice-cold water on my burning body.

After I had washed all the lather off, I applied some conditioner and washed my body clean of sweat with some soap the cubicles provided and a sponge I had with me. After that washed away, I quickly cleansed my face with my Bioré face wash.

Yeah, I know. I come prepared.

When I was done with that, I stood there, still. I knew I should get out because the water was numbing my fingers but it just felt too good.

Everything went down the drain. Everything dirty. I felt like I was getting purified and everything bad was being washed away.

It was a good feeling. I wish it would wash down this other feeling that was gnawing at the back of my mind.

Ugh.

My mind went back to thinking and I remembered all the things I had heard right here. In this cubicle.

There was a rumour going around once that the janitor had put cameras in all the showerheads. I actually believed that one since the janitor was kind of a creep. One day I brought a screwdriver with me to school and removed the caps off all the showerheads and made sure there was nothing in there. No one showers here more than I do.

Needless to say, there weren't any cameras.

My thoughts were interrupted by voices. Someone was in the change room. This was my cue to turn the water off and get out. I walked in front of the mirror and began getting dressed. Good thing I always bring an extra pair of clothes just in case. Since today is a jean day, I packed a pair of blue Abercrombie low-rise jeans coupled with 3-quarter long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves black and the base white and my black Diesels.

I towel-dried my hair and combed through it quickly and applied some curling mousse that had 100 pro-vitamins from fruit and avocado extracts to my mane and scrunched it up.

I kind of did that thing where you put your hair over your face, bend over, and then you flip your whole upper torso back, tossing your neck back. Then I primped it a little more, and I inspected for any flaws.

Ah, nice, soft, bouncy, curly perfection.

Now for the make-up. I used this thick black eyeliner and went for the long Egyptian look. I didn't bother putting on any eye shadow. As always, I brushed on some natural rouge on my cheeks sucking them in as I did so, then applying the blush to define my check bones. Finally, I put on my lip liner in Dark Chocolate and lip gloss in Mocha Mousse as my finish.

I felt a little guilty dressing up. I don't know who I was doing it for. I don't know if it was for me, since I felt so crappy but, make up always cheers me up you know?

I know that makes me sound like such an air head, but, hey, it's true.

I packed away all my cosmetics, hair care products, make-up, and what not, and I stepped out of the cubicle.

Thank God for the nice, spacious lockers at this school. That way I could pack away all my bare essentials without cramming it all in and still leaving room for my books and other school supplies.

My old school had crappy little ones that were totally cramped and had no space whatsoever.

Coming into the bigger portion of the room, I saw Kelly and Debbie. They smiled at me, which was weird because we usually ignored each other in here. We had sort of an unspoken agreement where no one ever told the teachers I used the change room all the time and I didn't, well, beat them up.

Don't look at me like that.

It wasn't my idea. I don't even think I could beat them up. It's just when the subject first arose, Kelly was all 'Ok fine, just don't you know, like kill us or something and we won't tell'. Her tone was really light, but you could tell she was serious. All the girls behind her nodded.

I think I was wearing my motorcycle jacket that day, but I still can't believe I looked like the sort of person who beats other kids up for no reason to them.

I didn't argue with the arrangement, though. It worked for me.

"Hiya Suze! Oh my God, I can't wait for the party next Friday! I bet it's going to be bitchin'!" Kelly exclaimed loudly and plasticly.

"Yeah, TOTALLY BITCHIN'!" Debbie added, a couple of octaves higher than Kelly.

"Shut UP, Debbie!" Kelly snapped rudely. "You TOTALLY killed it!"

"Why don't YOU shut up, you SLUT!" Debbie replied acidly.

Damn, this girl's got a set of lungs. Sheesh.

But . . . party . . . ?

Hmph. Whatever.

I grabbed my stuff and left the locker room discreetly as the two bimbos kept arguing, making sure there weren't any teachers around before taking off.

All clear.

I walked over to my locker and dialled the combination. 26 –03- 45. I heard the click and got the things I needed for first period. I had calculus with Mr. Gadsby.

He was cool. Not too easy, not too hard. He was funny in a really sarcastic way. I could use a little humour today.

I looked around for Cee wondering how I could talk to her without actually telling her about the whole Jesse thing when the bell rang. Crap. I guess I wouldn't have time. She wasn't in my first period class.

As I closed my locker door, a sea of students surrounded me as they all tried to get to their class. Half pushing, half walking, I felt a little . . . out of place.

I don't know how to explain it, but everything around me felt, weird. Maybe I was being paranoid but things felt . . . . different. Everything was the same, except not, at the same time.

I know that doesn't make any sense but I don't know how else to explain it. The little details were different. For one, when I was at my locker, there wasn't a dent in it still from the whole Heather incident. They had it fixed after my encounter with Heather but, right near the lock, there was this permanent dent that they said couldn't be fixed without melting the whole thing and reshaping it.

I had ignored that it wasn't there, thinking nothing of it, but now, other things felt different too.

This is going to sound really weird, but I felt like I was in this . . . uh- parallel universe.

Don't laugh!

I knew it wasn't true but it just felt like that. The whole atmosphere around me felt unfamiliar. Everything felt a little . . . fake.

People around me were smiling at me. It wasn't just Kelly. This was SO weird. It's like these people in the halls knew me and actually liked me.

Nobody liked me before. I was the weird kid always getting into trouble and being called to the principle's office.

Ha! I didn't exactly get into trouble at Father D's office.

But yeah, that's not the point.

Whatever, I figured I WAS just being paranoid and made a mental note to take an Advil and go to sleep for a while right after school.

"Hey Suze," I turned around to meet the voice, but it was already gone. Other people I don't even know greeted me too. I just smiled and reminded myself to take two Advils instead of one.

When did I get so popular?

Smiling so hard that my jaw hurt, I finally made it into calculus.

As soon as I entered, everyone looked up and smiled at me.

It was REALLY freaky.

Seriously, it was like synchronized.

Maybe I wasn't getting enough sunlight.

Wary of the smiling faces around me, I found an empty spot in the middle of the class and tried to turn my attention to Mr. Gadsby.

As he began the lesson, I started to relax. This was more normal you know? Mr Gadsby making fun of Brad; Me, doodling in my notebook; New Spanish guy staring at me.

. . . . Hold the phone . . . .

NEW SPANISH GUY STARING AT ME!

THAT'S NOT NORMAL.

My back went a little rigid when I finally realised it. I knew he was new since no one sat in the spot he was sitting in. The one next to Samantha Deroll. I can't believe I didn't notice it earlier.

He was behind me and I could feel his eyes boring into my back. I caught the back of his head when I entered the room, but I never caught a look of his face. He was one of the VERY few who weren't smiling madly at me.

I thought I was being overly sad when he reminded me of someone but I pushed it aside.

But now, I was getting this- I don't know what to call it. Usually I just call it my Mediator Sense. You know, like Spidey Sense but only more pathetic.

It's just this feeling I get at the pit of my stomach. It happens when I'm in danger or something weird is happening, like as if a ghost just materialized into the room I was in.

It's betrayed me a couple of times when I got it but it was just mom or something.

Maybe it wasn't a Mediator Sense so much as common sense or even paranoia. But then it's just too strong and it's been right too many times for me to ignore it.

This time I decided to face what it was that was making my stomach uneasy.

I turned around.

-8-

Jazz: Heh heh. I just love cliffhangers. What about you Chris?

Chris: I am wearing purple socks. I have these nice comfy red ones too, accept my mom threw them out. I never asked her why. Why would someone throw out your socks, I will never know.

Jazz: Ahem. Yes . . .

Review.

Love Chris and Jazz.