A/N: this chapter contains cherie's 'older than my years'. it doesn't go along with the story or anything. i just happen to like the song.. enjoy

The end of the recital came. The girls took a bow and Nikki took a microphone from Becky.

"Hope you all enjoyed tonight. We have a special treat for you. As all of you heard, our two teachers, Denise and Elie went on tour for Chris Brown months ago. And, Elie was offered a deal to be in a movie. There's a special talent she has that not many know about. So, she's going to sing a song for everyone. Give it up for Elie!"

Bradin smiled when he saw Becky push Elie onto the stage once everyone was clapping. He knew Elie had no idea that she was going to sing. Denise turned on the song Elie always sang on tour.

You say that you are leaving
They say that I'm to young for you
You say its for the better
And that one day soon I will understand

I believe that I know you like no other lover
I believe

(Chorus)
My love is stronger than my years
It's wiser then your fears
It's telling you to stay and not to go
Love is wisdom from the heart
It tells us who we are
So look beyond my years
I'm older then my tears

You say that life's a journey
They say I'm only at the start
You say its the beggining
But it feels like the end
Your friends will be apart

And I believe that you know me like no other lover
Do you believe?

(Chorus)

Don't let my innocence decieve you
Because there's more to me then meets the eye
Don't let these feelings turn to sorrow
There's no good in goodbye

(Chorus)

Love is wisdom from the heart
It shows us who we are
So please look beyond my years
I'm older then my tears

After she sang, everyone gave her a standing ovation. At the party after the dance, Bradin looked around for Elie and couldn't find her. He walked up to Nikki.

"Where's Elie?"

"I don't know. She disappeared after she sang."

Bradin walked on the beach away from the party. He looked around looking for the girl that he wanted to talk to. He stopped walking when he arrived at the rocks, the rocks where he met Elie months ago. He remembers that day very well. He randomly walked up to her and they just started talking. He couldn't believe how far they have got, relationship wise.

He turned to walk back to the party when he saw her sitting on a rock not far from where he was. He smiled and walked up to her. "Hey," he said.

She looked up at him and half smiled. "Hi."

"You did amazing," he told her, "Your voice is amazing." She nodded and looked back out at the ocean. She felt him sit next to her. She tried to hide the tears on her face from him so he wouldn't ask what was the matter. "Elie," he said softly, "talk to me."

"I don't know what to say or do anymore," she said not looking at him.

"Why?"

"Because I always get bitched at," she told him, "No matter what I do in life, I always do the wrong thing."

"Let me tell you something. Being my girlfriend wasn't something bad. Becoming a dancer for Chris Brown wasn't bad. Being a part of that movie wasn't bad. Being in my room when I had a gun in my hand threatening to kill myself wasn't bad. Being here, talking to me after what I did isn't bad."

She moved her head so she was facing opposite of Bradin. He moved her head. "I have met one other person like you. That person was my mother. My entire family loves you because it feels like my mother is still here."

"So I'm only loved because I'm a rememberance. Hmm, k sweet," she said.

"But, I love you because of who you truly are. Not because you remind me of my mother," he told her, "I love the way you smile, the way you make the girls in your class smile, and how you make my family smile. You care so much about others. You would give anything to have anyone live. And, I realized that that was the reason as to why you fought with me over that gun. When I got shot, all I wanted to do was see and talk to you. I never got to thank you for making me realize how stupid I was acting those days."

"How can you say that?" she asked, "I lied to you."

"I don't care. If you want to tell me, I'm ready to listen."

She shook her head not wanting to but she knew that she had to. "When I was born, my parents, my real parents put me up for adoption because they were too young to raise a child and they were against abortion. When I was put into a foster home, I was beaten badly and spent a lot of time in the hospital. I was in the hospital for quite some time because when they doctors were examining a bruise, they found something else in my body. I had internal bleeding of my one kidney. For months, I went to treatment and I guess that I recovered.

"So, I was put into a special home. There, I was able to learn dancing since it was the only thing I could do. The people were nice at first but I was rarely noticed. Before I left, they said that they were forced to take me in. They never wanted me. They wanted me to die. Now, here I am, pouring the truth out to you not knowing what to expect."

He smiled at the last part. "I'm sorry that all of that happen to you," he told her, "You don't deserve to be treated the way you have been by people."

"No shit," she said tears pouring down her face. "I make everyone else happy. No one gives a damn about how I feel."

"Now that's bullshit," he told her, "I care. If I didn't, I wouldn't have wanted you in my life. You mean so much to me. If you're not happy, I will do whatever I can to make a smile appear on your face. Even if it's a tiny one."

"I wish I could believe you," she said quietly.

"Why are you acting like this?" he asked.

"I'm moving to L.A. for good. I was offered a record deal while I was on tour. I can't be with you anymore."