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I don't own anything except Jaclyn

Because of You 2: Catching My Breath

Brooke sat in Jaclyn's room; her sister had been gone for almost a week. Most people said that having a younger sister was a pain, but not Jaclyn. Maybe it was because they were only ten months apart or because they were complete opposites. Jaclyn was the calm, quiet bookworm who would always allow Brooke to take center stage. Brooke picked up the picture on the nightstand; it was of the two of them at the formal. They were both so happy. Brooke was startled by a knock on the door. She turned around and was a little shocked to see Lucas standing there.

"Lucas hey." She said weakly

"Hey I came to see how you were doing."

Brooke wiped her tears and stood up putting the picture back on the nightstand. "I'm ok I guess… how are you?" she asked quickly changing the subject.

"I'm ok, but I'm not the one who just lost my sister."

"No, but you two were as close as we were." Brooke said

Lucas nodded "Why don't we go get something to eat."

"Um sure." Brooke agreed.

They walked into the café and immediately greeted by Karen.

"Hi you two. Brooke how are you doing?"

"I'm ok I guess."

"Well good. If you need to talk about anything I'm here."

Brooke smiled "Thanks Karen."

"Well sit down you two, I'll get your orders in a minute." The two found a table and sat down.

"Lucas I have to ask you something."

"Ok."

"This has been bugging me since…but I kept trying to figure out if I really wanted to know the truth." Lucas nodded to let her know that he understood what she was saying. "What happened to Jaclyn?" she said barely audible but Lucas knew what she was going to ask.

"Brooke I wish I could answer that, but I don't know. We were supposed to meet when I got off, but I was running late. When I got to the park she was lying there covered in blood. All she said was it hurt…I'm sorry I wish I could answer that question for you, for both of us."

Brooke nodded. "Me too."

Lucas was lying in bed that night and he couldn't get Jaclyn off his mind. He would never be able to hear her laugh again. Or listen to one of her stupid girly stories and he'd never get his best friend back. Yes he had lost his girlfriend and he did love Jaclyn with all his heart, but she was his best friend and no one could ever replace her. Lucas got up and pulled out a scrapbook from under his bed. It was full of pictures of him and Jaclyn it was full of pictures of them from over the years, when they were younger and she would always try and play basketball with him and the Rivercourt guys, but she wasn't any good. he stopped at the picture from their first date, they went to the movies then for a walk and ended up at the park, Jaclyn declared that to be their spot. Her pale face flashed through his mind.

Flashback

"Lucas it hurts." Jaclyn said

"I know babe." He squeezed her hand. "Just stay calm the ambulance is on its way." He said but Jaclyn's eyes started to close. "Jaclyn baby talk to me."

"Lucas I love you."

"I love you too babe. Jaclyn who did this too you?" Jaclyn started to close her eyes again. "No Jaclyn talk to me."

"You were right. You told me to be careful and I thought I knew him." She said just before the ambulance pulled up.

Those words kept running through his mind. "You were right. You told me to be careful and I thought I knew him." Knew who? Finally it hit him.