Ta duh! I'm back! Sorry it took sooo long for an update but I can guarantee you I WILL finish this story! In fact I want to finish it before I get back to school. Cause if I don't it's going to be hard to update for a really long time… and I don't want to make you wait much longer. So I'm guessing I have like 4-5 maybe 6 chapters left, give or take. School starts for me Sept. 1st. So be expecting the story to be done somewhere around there. Any ways I'd like to thank everyone who takes the time to review this story. Every comment means a lot to me. So I'm sending out a special thanks to lil cwick, xohugsndkissesox, xbeautyinthebreakdown, etheriums angel, Caitym and sara. Also thanks to everyone who takes the time to read my story. It means a lot to me. Any ways enough of my rambling, on with the next chapter! Enjoy!

Chapter 20

Just a Dream

I returned back to the waiting room to find everyone was basically there still. Gary was using the pay phone talking with, whom I could only assume was, Heather. Jeff had fallen asleep, bad idea. Tiffany and Lily had taken this as a perfect opportunity to give Jeff a make over. Thankfully for him the two girls only had their mother's lipstick and a few hair elastics as weapons. I'm actually amazed Jeff is sleeping through this though. Tiffany looks like she's literally drawing a mustache on his face with lipstick, yet he's not moving. Poor guy, he really is that tired.

Pony either has not noticed his friend getting such a, uh, drastic make over or like me, just finds it funny and doesn't want to wake Jeff up. Then again Ponyboy does seem rather involved with some conversation with Jenna. I believe she's sharing her views about science if I'm not mistaken. It's her favorite subject to talk about when somebody will listen.

Anna seems to be having some sort of temper tantrum. I don't blame the girl I'm not nearly as young as her and I'm ready to get some sleep. Mr. and Mrs. Linder are trying to calm their daughter down, but to no avail. I notice a couple nurses give them a dark look but give the girl a break she's only three. Bethany and her boyfriend are volunteering to take Anna home seeing as how Mrs. Linder will not leave her son. I don't blame her either though, I don't want to leave Garrett, Lee or Scott even though I know I have too at some point.

I carefully and quietly walked over to where Ponyboy and Jenna were, as to not wake up Jeff (which I doubt is even possible at the moment, but I'd hate to ruin Tiffany and Lily's fun). As I take a seat I realized I was right, Jenna is going on about her up and coming science project.

"…So really when you think about it the overall reaction is going to depend on…"

Pony acts as though he understands what Jenna is rambling on about, whether he does or not, I'm not too sure. Like I've said before Pony's a smart kid but he's more into English then Science. Which is perfectly fine with me, I have Garrett to discuss Science with. Or correction had Garrett to discuss that with.

I stop myself from thinking any farther. I can't. Garrett has to be okay. He has too. He can't not be. I keep telling myself all this because I know I can't face reality. There's a chance Garrett's not going to be okay… And that thought makes me feel sick.

"Hey Kate," Pony finally notices me and gives me a kiss on the cheek.

"Hey Pony, Jenna. What are you guys talking about?"

"Oh just my newest Science project. But I think I'm going to go see if Bethany can take me home too."

I raise an eyebrow in surprise as Jenna all of the sudden gets up to go talk to Bethany. I was assuming I was going to have to sit and listen to her talk about her project for the next hour or so. Not that I mind but talking about science reminds me of Garrett… And the more I think of Garrett the more I wonder how much longer he's going to be around… I bite my bottom lip at the thought but I was quickly brought out of my thoughts by Jenna stopping to whisper something in my ear.

"I can take a hint," and then she walked off.

All right so I'll admit, my face turned a little red but then I burst out laughing. Seriously that girl is just like Garrett in so many ways.

"What did she say?"

I looked over at Pony with a grin and just shook my head, "Never mind."

He looked a little confused but merely shrugged. He then threw his arm around me and I rested my head on his shoulder.

"So uh, how's Lee?"

"Better. Currently making out with Danielle, so I'm assuming a lot better at the moment."

Pony laughed, "Yeah I'd assume so too. I also overheard a nurse talking with Scott's parents. Turns out they're going to keep him overnight and if all goes well he should be able to go home tomorrow. You know considering his Mom's a nurse and all he should be fine."

I nodded my head with a slight grin. I know that Scott would probably prefer the hospital to going home to have his Mom watch over him. Don't get me wrong she's a great lady and all. I just don't think she's aware of the fact she doesn't have a five-year-old son anymore.

"I'm sure he'll be thrilled."

Pony just smiled and kissed the top of my head. I snuggled in closer and after a few moments I felt my eyes close and I slowly drifted off to sleep.

Everyone around me is crying. I feel like I should be crying too but I'm not. I'm going somewhere but I don't know where. My feet just seem to be moving to a certain destination without the rest of me knowing, almost as if they have a mind of their own. I looked down to see my feet and realized I'm dressed from head to toe in black. I usually don't wear too much black. The occasional black shirt, but that's it. I usually where jeans or sometimes a skirt but never the black dress pants I'm currently in. I lift my head and look around the room and notice everyone is wearing black. I feel like I should know why is everyone is dressed in black and is crying but I don't. Part of my feels like I do but for some reason I can't accept it. It's weird cause I'm not even sure what I can't accept.

I take a second glance around the room and I realize I know pretty much everyone here. I can see Lee sitting with Danielle. She is bawling hysterically and Lee is trying his best to comfort her but just can't. It's like his mind is elsewhere. I spot Gary and Heather sitting beside them. Heather looks like she was crying seeing as how her eyes are all red and puffy, but at the moment the flood of tears has stopped. Instead she tucks a piece of her curly brown hair behind her ear and starts having a quiet conversation with Gary. He seems to be acting like he's listening but I can tell he's not. He's like Lee his mind is elsewhere.

I turn my head to the other side of me and I can see Garrett's family. Everyone is crying and I mean everyone. Mrs. Linder is blowing her nose before she turns to bawl into her husband's shoulder. Anna happens to be sitting on Bethany's lap and is pretty much screaming. Bethany is trying to calm her little sister down but she is having a hard time since she can hardly stop crying herself. Tiffany and Lily are both dabbing their eyes with tissues as tears stream down their faces. And Jenna isn't looking at her family. She is starring straight ahead of her. She is so concentrated on something it doesn't even look like she's blinking but she is crying. She doesn't even attempt to wipe the tears away though she just lets them fall freely.

I stop walking for a minute and I wonder where Garrett is. But I feel like I know where he is I just don't remember. Sighing I continue walking and I notice quite a few of my teachers. I even spot my old grade school teacher Mr. Boyd; he was Garrett's favorite teacher by far. I also notice quite a few kids from school. A lot of them from the Science Club (yes I am part of the science club). I'm wondering why all these people are here, it's like I know but I've denied it so much that it's been erased from my memory.

After a moment I hear my name being called so I stop and looking around. I see Ponyboy sitting with Jeff and Scott and he is waving me over. So I walk towards them. Scott's leg is still in cast and his crutches are propped up beside him. Jeff has obviously been crying but he's trying to act all tough. So occasionally he turns towards the old lady beside him to wipe his eyes or blow his nose. Pony looks like he hasn't slept in days. His hair is all ruffled and his eyes are dark. But he offers me the seat next to him so I take it.

"Are you okay?" he asked his voice so caring and concerned.

Yet all I can do is nod my head. I'm okay. But I feel like I shouldn't be. I feel like I should be crying along with everyone else. I debate whether or not I should just fake cry so I don't look so out of place. But I couldn't cry right now if my life depended on it. So I just sit there trying to figure this out. Until some man calls for our attention and says it's time. Everyone gets up slowly from his or her seat and heads out the door. I follow the crowd having no clue where we're going. Jeff is helping Scott along and Pony has grabbed my hand to comfort me. But I don't feel like I need to be comforted. But I act like it anyways.

We get outside and begin walking threw a graveyard. Why are we walking threw a graveyard? I'm really confused but I just follow. Until I see it. The coffin. And then it hits me. Someone is dead. Dead… But who? My mind begins to race and I try to think of who's missing. But for some reason I can't. I know who it is but I've convinced myself that it isn't.

Every step closer we take my head begins to pound. Who is it? Who is it? It's all I can ask myself. But then I see it. And I can't deny it any longer. I look at the coffin and then to the tombstone and I know I can't avoid the truth. I begin to panic and it hits me. I collapse to the ground as tears began to pour down my face. He's gone. He's dead. I can't save him. Garrett Cameron Linder is gone…

Pony kneels down to me and tries to comfort me but it's no use. He's gone. Pony can't bring him back. My body is literally shaking from the tears and it's getting hard to breath. But it doesn't matter cause he's gone.

"Kate? It's okay Kate."

"Kate? Wake up."

I slowly open my eyes too Pony gently shaking me. I quickly wipe my eyes from the tears that were running down my face.

"You okay doll? It was just a dream."

I take a few deep breaths and then I nod my head. It was just a dream. A dream and nothing more. But I know it could very well end up as reality. I can't let that happen. I won't.

"Yeah I'm fine."

"You had us really scared there for a moment," comes a voice from behind me.

I slowly turn my head to see Gary standing there. He motions for me to stand up and then throws a jacket at me.

"It's cold out," he says.

I slowly rise to my feet still pretty shaken from my dream. I put on Gary's jacket, which of course is too big for me. But it's definitely warm. I turn my head to see that pretty much everyone has gone home. In fact the only people still here are Garrett's parents but know one else. I look out one of the windows and realize it's late. Time to go home. But I don't want to leave. What if when I come back tomorrow he's gone? And this time it won't be a dream.

"Do we have to leave?" I ask softly.

Gary and Pony both give me a slightly surprised look before Gary nods his head.

"Yeah kiddo I'll take you tomorrow morning before if you really want to. But you need to get home and get some sleep."

"And where exactly is home?"

I ask the question and then wish I didn't. Mrs. Hannigan's place was my home. But she's gone now. I'm really going to miss her… I keep thinking I'm going to cry or something but thankfully I don't think there's anything left in me to cry.

"My place," Gary answers simply, "You can crash in Lee's room tonight till we get a room set up for you."

I want to argue and insist that he doesn't need to look after me, that I am more then capable of finding a place for myself. But I don't. I'm too tired at the moment.

"You need a ride home?" It takes me a second to realize Gary is talking to Pony.

"Yeah thanks."

Gary nods and heads towards the door. Pony follows. I go to follow but I don't really trust me legs at the moment. It takes him a moment, but finally Pony realizes I'm still standing there. I give him my best sweet and innocent smile and he just laughs and walks back to me. I give him a quick peck before he picks me up and carries me to Gary's truck.

It doesn't take long till Pony and Gary get to talking about sports. So I just sit there playing with a strand of my hair. Once we get to Pony's place he gives me a kiss on the forehead and runs to his house. I can see Sodapop at the door waiting for him and I chuckle quietly. By the time we reach Gary and Lee's place, Gary is ready to fall asleep. So it takes me a while to convince him to carry me inside the house. But after a lot of whining I get my way. He carries me inside and then chucks me onto Lee's bed.

"Night kiddo. Get some sleep."

"You too. Night."

Gary smiles and then leaves the room.

I close my eyes for a few minutes but quickly open them. I sit up and look at the book Lee has on his nightstand. I grab it and start reading. I figure it'll give me something to do. I'm tired and I want to sleep and all. But I'm almost scared too.

Ta duh! What did you think? As always I would love to know! So review! Please and thank you!