A/N: Ok this chapter is being written right after I wrote the last one. And I'm sitting here, at my laptop, not having written a single word of this chapter yet, and I already know that this is going to be one of the hardest chapters I will ever write. I'm sure most of you realize by now, that this story is semi-biographical. No I do not know John Cena or Randy Orton, but the girls in this story…Madison, Jackie, Missy…real. My best friends. Ms. De…real… Mr. Santiago…real. So here we go. Just know that this chapter is important to me and important to the story because it does explain a lot of the relationships, including one key one. So I'm pressing play on my "Songs that make me cry" play list and I'm running with this

"You pick me up when I fall down
You ring the bell before they count me out
If I was drowning you would part the sea
And risk your own life to rescue me
When I couldn't fly
Oh, you gave me wings
You parted my lips
When I couldn't breathe
Thank you for loving me"

-Bon Jovi, Thank you for loving me

Our last chapter ended with:

Sighing in defeat Riley reached for her last letter at the same time Jackie did hers. They opened their letters at the same time, looked at the bottom of the page and looked at each other. Looking across the room at Madison the same look fell on her face. Madison quickly crossed the room and sat with the girls. Sighing they all began to read their letters.

Riley paused for a moment, scared to read…but she knew she had to…

Dear Ms. Smith,

First off let me start off by saying, that if anyone else finds out that I wrote you, Madison and Jackie letters, I will hurt you. And yes I did just call them by their first names. When I took this job, never did it cross my mind that I would become…friends…with you three girls. You girls have completely changed my teaching experience from what it could have been. Numerous times you three have had my back. Sometimes without me knowing. I know that you three have bi-monthly meetings with Ms. Peri and sing my praises. I know you defend me to other teachers, defend me to other students. I also know that I am not the most well-liked people in this school. But for some reason, you girls have taken care of me. And I hope you know that I refuse to let any harm come from you. Weather it be from friends, or guys. Or even myself.

"Men are like dogs." Simile. "Men are dogs" Metaphor. I used those two expressions to teach you students the diffrence between a metaphor and a simile. However, lately it seems to me that it's been almost a rule in your book, they way you treat guys. You think seem to think that all guys are dogs.And that there arevery few exceptions.As a personlooking out for you, I can't really complain.I'm so proud of how much you've grown in the past few months. The real you is still hiding though. There are times when I think I know you, and then you turn around and say something, and I'm left standing there puzzled going "what the hell was that?" Those two boys, and that's what they are to me boys, have hurt you tremendously, and I want to kill them for that. I'm too protective of you. That I know. I also know that I have absolutely no right to be. But I am, and you and everyone else just has to deal with that. I don't want you, or Madison or Jackie to be with people who are going to hurt you. But you have to make your own mistakes. And that involves you dating assholes and losers. But the one thing that scares me Ms. Smith is that despite what they have done to you I still see the love in your eyes when you speak of them. It's the same way I see love in your eyes when you call me an idiot, or an asshole.

"All the world is a stage, all the men and women merely players". Good old Shakespeare. We all go through different stages of our lives where we are different people and want different things. Sometimes it seems to me that you are just playing multiple roles. We all are…I'm a teacher, son, brother, friend, and much more. You…the sides I see of you are Student, friend, daughter. What scares me is that sometimes I just don't know who you are. And it scares me because I sometimes have this need to protect you from the world and other times it's as if you can handle the world. But no matter what role you are playing…I believe in you. I believe that you can be whatever you want to be, I believe that you can do whatever you want to do, I believe that you can overcome anything at all. You are such a strong person. You all are. And these are words that I shouldn't be saying, and that I need to.

You, Madison and Jackie are so special to me in ways that I can't even begin to comprehend. You girls make me smile as much as Adriana does. The memories I have of you three are ones that I cherish so deeply. I just want to see my three girls happy. Happy with yourselves, happy with your lives. I want to be able to look at you twenty years from now, and know that you are happy.

I'm so proud of the person that you are all fifty million different sides of you. There are so many things I owe you, so many things that I should say, but I can't. There aren't enough words in the English language to. So I leave you with this. Know that you always have me here, ready to listen, to give advice. Know that I'm proud of you no matter what you do. Know that I am happy I got to be in your life. And know that I know that you are capable of doing great things. Thank you for allowing me to be me. Always follow your heart.

God Bless,

Mr. Santiago

Ms. De looked over at Riley, Madison and Jackie. All three girls had the exact same looks on their faces. Shock, joy, sadness, fear, and happiness. All combined into one. And she knew whose letter they were reading. Santiago's. When she had approached with the idea of writing letters to the students, he hadn't wanted to. But Friday morning he had walked in and placed the letters in the three girl's envelopes. All he had said to her was "I owe them so much."

Riley placed the letter back in the envelope and looked at Madison and Jackie. The three girls rose and went up to Riley's room, which she was sharing with Jackie. Handing out pens and paper the there girls set to work, trying to explain to these different people in their lives how much they meant to them.

Dear Mr. Santiago,

Can I just begin to explain the feeling of shock I felt when I saw your name at then end of that letter? You have changed me. I walked into your classroom, saw you and felt nothing but shock. Who was this boy that was running around? What in the hell was the administration thinking? And I can not even begin to voice my thanks to the administration for hiring you.

I've been nothing but a complete bitch to you sometimes, yet you were always there for me when I needed you. Be it with a smile, and stupid joke or a random comment. At a time when I was getting nothing but advice from people, you simply said "Men are dogs" and that seemed to define it.

The love I have for you shouldn't be there. The relationship, the bond I have with you shouldn't be there. But it is. And I don't know why. You were sent into my life for a reason, and not many people understand this or ever will. Perhaps you are just a character in my life story sent here to make things more entertaining. But perhaps you were sent into my life for a greater reason…

I'm proud of the fact that you are my teacher, that you are my protector, my friend and my brother. And I have nothing but thanks, gratitude and love for you. And even now I cant begin to say everything I want to…Maybe I am perfect for Randy…I cant imagine my life without you Santiago. You have completely changed me.

Love,

Riley Smith

Riley set her pen down as her phone rang

"Yes?" She answered it, her voice raw from crying

"Did you take your medicine?" Shane asked her from the other end of the line. He had known this was going to be an emotional night, and knew he would have to remind her.

"Oh shit" Riley responded and hung up the phone. She quickly ran to her bag and popped out one of her pills and swallowed it, oblivious to the looks Madison and Jackie were giving her.

"Ok fuck this shit" Jackie said throwing down her pen, having finished her letter. Madison stood up, and walked over to Riley. Firmly grasping her hand she pulled her over to where Jackie was and sat her down in between them.

"What's with the meds Ri?" Madison asked her

Riley stayed quiet and gazed into space.

"Riley?" Jackie pushed

In Riley's mind she was going through memories like they were pictures. Her and John. Her and Randy. Her and Jackie and Madison at the park. Her and Hales. Her and her parents. Her and Santiago. Her and her friends. Her whole life was playing out in front of her like a silent film. Tears were falling down her cheek.

Jackie and Madison exchanged looks. Madison looked at the pill bottle in Riley's hand and gasped. Jackie followed Madison's gaze and tightly shut her eyes.

Riley let out a sob.

"I love you guys. And I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I'm so sorry"

Madison and Jackie enveloped her in a hug.

"No!" Jackie said, tears leaving her eyes

"I'm so sorry"

"Riley" Madison said crying

"I'm dieing" Riley whispered

A/N: The relationship between Santiago and Riley, Jackie and Madison is similar to that of me and my teacher and two of my other friends. And yes it's weird, and probably not appropriate, and when I began the story, I never even dreamed that we would end up that close to him… and I just felt the need to explain it…read and review