Okay, so I know this is a short chapter, but I happen to like it. Enjoy.

Chapter 23

Leigh knew she should have been anything but mad at Doug. He had just defended her in front of her mother. She should be grateful that he cared enough to argue for her. But as she watched his retreating back, all she wanted to do was smack him. She was working herself into a real state.

Taking a deep breath, Leigh followed him into the house, keeping her face as blank as always. Inside she was festering. How could he play with her like this? One minute it looked like he was going to kiss her, and the next he was backing off. He couldn't keep playing yoyo with her heart. She was already worn too thin and she didn't think she could hide the hurt if he it kept up too long.

She felt a craving rising in her.

She caught the screen door just as it was creaking shut and slipped in. She heard an excited squeal and looked up to see Doug and Jamie embracing. She couldn't help smirking as she saw the surprise on her mother's face. Mrs. Bennett had no idea who Doug was and probably hadn't expected such a reaction from Jamie.

Leigh blundered past all the people in their separate conversations. Meetings wouldn't start for a few minutes. There were still people arriving. She hurried to her sanctuary in the garage, feeling a burning in her, threatening to overwhelm her.

She picked up the old sleeping bag that was rolled out over the couch and threw it to the side. Next, she dismantled all the cushions and began digging her fingers through the crevices. She knew she'd lost one down here about a month ago and she needed it now. To heck with quitting. She didn't give a crap anyway.

Her fingers found something blessedly smooth and round. Yes. She pulled it out almost frantically and exited the garage through the side door. She rummaged through her leather jacket until she had found a lighter, her eyes fixated on the flame as she lit it.

She took a great long drag and closed her eyes leaning against the side of the house. Forget Doug. He was a jerk anyway.

Someone came bursting through the side door just as she was about to bring the cigarette to her lips again. Fingers snatched it away and dropped it to the ground. Leigh let out a protesting wail as Jamie's booted foot crushed it with one twist.

"I wanted that!"

"What do you think you're doing?"

"I'm forgetting that the world exists, and excuse you for reminding me otherwise," Leigh muttered before she could help herself.

Jamie sighed. Leigh just knew Jamie was going to start asking her curious questions and in her furious state, she just might answer them. She was looking at Leigh with a penetrating gaze and it was unnerving her. Leigh scrunched her shoulders together and leaned into the side of the house.

"What's going on?" Jamie asked more softly.

"I don't know!" Leigh snapped. "Why don't you ask your freaking brother because I'd like to know why he keeps bouncing back and forth like a friggin' yoyo! If he keeps it up, I'll strangle him!"

"What did he do?" Jamie asked.

"A whole crap load of nothing!" Leigh was still fuming. "He won't even kiss me! He plays like he's going to just so he can rip my heart out."

"Leigh, you know my brother's not like that," Jamie defended him immediately. At the same moment, a light was dawning in her eyes. "You're in love with him."

"So what if I am?" She grumbled.

Jamie laughed then and Leigh's eyes rose to take in her face with a nonplussed expression. Jamie's hair spilled forward to hide her face as she doubled forward. "I'm not," she gasped, holding her stomach, "laughing at you. Okay, so I am laughing at you, but not for the reason's you think."

"Spill, Jamie," Leigh folded her arms, not the least bit amused.

"It's just that I think I've learned more about you in the past two minutes than I've gleaned in a year! You just keep so bottled up!"

"And that's funny?" Leigh questioned.

Jamie grinned with a slightly apologetic wince. "That and you can't pull off an angry expression. You just look to comical."

Despite herself, Leigh felt a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"Doug said things were bad for you," Jamie said, suddenly serious. "What else has been bugging you?"

Leigh sighed and ticked off her fingers. She couldn't believe she was telling Jamie this, but she'd already blurted out a fair bit, she might as well spill the rest. "Well, the detective was blackmailing me, but Doug and I fixed that situation. Two, my mom's been nagging at me for as long as I can remember. Three, I haven't even sent in any college apps because I'm just too scared to grow up and take responsibility. Four, my mom's threatened to throw me out of the house in a month. Five, your brother's being a jerk. Six, I'm just plain messed—"

Jamie lifted her hand to cut Leigh off. "I have a feeling this list could go on forever."

Leigh grinned ruefully. She had been getting into quite a roll.

Jamie chuckled knowingly. "I think you probably feel one hundred percent better right now, don't you?"

Leigh searched her feelings. She had to admit that Jamie was right. All the anger had evaporated away into nothingness. Even the load that had been pressing down on her shoulders seemed lighter. She took in a deep, refreshing breath.

"You're right," she said, turning back to Jamie. "How did you do that?"

"I'd like to thank the academy…" Jamie started off and changed tactics. "No. It was you. I didn't do anything. You just didn't realize how good it feels to open up once and a while. Blow off a little steam."

Leigh thought of something suddenly. "Hey, what are you doing out here anyway? This is the first time you've seen your brother in like forever, and instead you're out here pulling candies away from babies."

"If cigarettes were candies then we'd all have black lungs," Jamie muttered.

Leigh lifted her hands in defeat. "You win. No more cigarettes. That was my first one in about two weeks anyway."

"You know I wouldn't leave you to fester out here, right?" Jamie asked. "You're my best friend. As much as you try to hide it, I can tell when something is wrong. Doug'll still be there when I get back. He can wait."

Leigh felt a warm glow.

Jamie straightened. "Come on!"

"Where are we going?"

The garage door squealed open and Jamie rested her hand on it, looking back. "I know I can't help you with most of your problems. Only you can work through them."

Leigh nodded, biting her lip. She knew this. And for some reason, it didn't bug her as much as before.

"But there is one thing I can help you get started on."

"What's that?" Leigh asked guardedly.

"College apps. I've got a bunch of packets upstairs. I can help you get started on some before the meetings start."