A/N: Hey, so, so sorry it took so long. It wasfinished it a couple days ago, but then the internet decided not to work...Anyway, without further ado, here it is: chapter nine.

Chapter Nine

Pancakes.

I sat up slowly, kicking off the comforter.

Food…

What time was it? I desperately tried to make my brain cells function, but this early in the morning, it just wasn't going to happen.

I started at my clock until the numbers stopped blurring, and became solid.

Seven a.m.

Why me? I reached to the right, slapping the space next to me, trying to find my pillow. I'd roll over, sleep for half an hour, and then go stuff my face.

Sounds like a plan.

Only…there was something next to me.

What the f…

Oh. My. God. There was hair sticking up over the edge of the bed.

Brown hair.

Who the hell?

I lent over the edge, my face close to whoever it was, and was greeted with closed eyes.

The eye lids opened, revealing a set of eyes so blue they could have been contacts.

Only I happened to know that this particular pair of eyes was not contacts.

Slater. But what was he…

"Paul? What are you…oh."

I stopped, remembering yesterday.

Suddenly, I wasn't so hungry anymore.

"S…Suze? Hey, what's up?" He let out a little laugh.

I really don't think I'll ever get that guy. I really don't.

"Hey…look, about…thanks for staying."

He stopped smiling, and turned around, groaning as he stood and sat on the edge of the bed.

"I'll always be here for you Suze."

I felt my eyes start to water, I don't even know why.

"I know." My voice was barely above a whisper, and I wouldn't have even known that he heard me, except one side of his mouth twisted into a ghost of a smile.

I scrambled out of bed, and immediately my thoughts turned to Jesse.

I know it was a horrible thought. But…I just wanted to forget about him. Just for one day. Just…be free of the pain that seeped through my body. That physical pain. The one that wouldn't leave me alone.

I never wanted to forget him. I wanted him back more than anything. I couldn't ever remember wanting something this badly. I felt a tear roll out of my eye, and tried not to cry.

A hand touched my shoulder.

"Hey, let's go get some food."

"Yah. Food."

Paul steered my downstairs, and my family didn't even seem surprised that he was there. It was kind of…creepy, actually.

"Hey all."

Doc and my mom just sort of looked up at me and grunted a reply. Andy smiled and actually said good morning. Morning people are so creepy. It's just not natural to be that happy before about, oh, say noon?

I sat down at the table, and Andy set a plate in front of me. Pancakes and eggs. Mmm…food.

I drowned the whole thing in syrup and plucked a fork into it.

My thoughts turned back to Jesse. I started stabbing ferociously at the pancakes, shoving them into my mouth.

It was all their fault.

I knew it. The pancakes couldn't hide it from me.

Paul removed my plate from in front of me and grabbed my hand.

"We're going for a walk," he handed me a pair of tennis shoes, which I put on and followed him out the door, oblivious to the fact that I was in my flannel cat pajama bottoms and a Beatles t-shirt. He was in the same clothes from yesterday.

I hadn't even brushed my hair.

Oh well. No one is even up at this hour anyway.

He kept my hand in his. Pulled me down the street.

"So, what'd those pancakes ever do to you?"

I blushed and he grinned. With his hair all ruffled like that, and that evil looking smile, he looked exactly like he did when we were kids. When neither of us knew what the hell we wanted. Other than to graduate.

Now…

We still didn't have a clue. At least, I didn't. Not anymore.

He squeezed my hand, like he knew what I was thinking.

"I know it's difficult. But…you have to move on Suze."

I looked at him and felt a tear escape my eye. What if I don't want to move on? What if I just want to stay miserable and feel sorry for myself forever?

I voiced this and he just gave me a look. Then said, "He wouldn't have wanted that. I know it."

"Yah," I said, "how?"

He hesitated, "he told me so."

We were now in Caramel Park. I plopped down on a swing, and he sat in the one next to me.

I just kind of stared for a minute. Stared at nothing in particular. Just zoned out.

"Really?"

"Really really," he smirked and I diverted my gaze from his. He stopped smirking.

"Look. I didn't want to tell you this. I don't know why." He turned to me, and when I wouldn't look at him he turned my head to his and looked at me with those big blue eyes.

"He told me to take care of you Suze. And that's what I'm going to do damn it."

He got up and walked away.

Leaving me to think.

A breeze came through the park, a cold that hadn't been there before. I caught another glimpse of him before he disappeared around the corner.

For the first time, I was truly alone.

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