A/N: So I was on my old computer, deleting some files because my little sister gets the computer in her room, and lo and behold, what do I come across? The last chapter. Firstly, I feel like a complete dork because I was pretty positive I posted this way back in October. Clearly, I did not. My deepest apologies, and now I understand why I still had reviews asking me to update. I really feel like the biggest dork ever, I am SO sorry. Any ways, I fixed up all the spelling and grammar errors I could find. And here it is, the FINAL chapter. Thanks to anyone who has ever read and reviewed this story, it means alot. And a special thanks to anyone who is going to read this chapter. IT'S DONE.

Chapter 21

Today is the Day

Sleeping seems highly over-rated, but that could be do to the fact I got absolute zero last night. It could also be the reason why I look like an absolute hag. The thing is, I don't really care. After looking in the mirror this morning at about 5:14 am, I realized I was certianly a lost cause today. I had bags under my eyes, my hair was a mess, I likely wasn't the most pleasant person to look at, or smell for that matter. I had already decided, however, that I nice morning walk might give me the strength I needed to take a shower and get ready to go back to the hosiptal before I headed off to school.

With the best intentions in mind, I through my hair into a bun, grabbed one of Lee's jackets, left a note for Gary and headed out the front door. It was quiet outside, sort of eery. I think I was likely over-reacting, but things seemed to be getting to me a lot lately. I couldn't stop thinking last night. Panic and fear had really set in. Scott and Lee were going to be okay,but they wouldn't be the same. Sure, they'd act all tough and likely glorify the fight, they were guys. But Scott wouldn't be playing football for a while, which I knew he would hate. And I doubted Lee wasn't going to enjoy the extra attention from the ladies, but he was an independent guy, how could he not be frustrated? I still couldn't wrap my head around the idea Garrett wasn't going to make it, and to even begin to think that somehow I was at fault for all of this was enough to make my head explode. So I tried not to think. Too bad I couldn't.

It was a little chilly, but I had Lee's jacket wrapped around me pretty tight. My legs seemed to have a mind of their own, and I didn't pay them much mind, until I landed up at one of the places I would rather have not gone anywhere near for a really long time... Mrs. Hannigan's house.

Shit.

I had a strong urge to run away, get away from the memories as fast as I could. And even though my mind was screaming 'it's all happening to fast, I'm not ready, I'm not ready, I'm not ready...' But for some unknown reason I was already looking under the flower pot and grabbing the spare key. Suddenly, I was unlocking the door.

I didn't know what to expect, I wasn't sure how I felt. I hadn't a clue why I was even doing this. Something was making me, told me to. And the moment I stepped through the door, I honestly could have collapsed right then there, it was overwhelming for the strangest reason. Nothing had changed. Everything was exactley where it had been when I had left for the dance days before. Mrs. Hannigan's current book was still lying on the table, open to the specific page. I closed the door behind me and was drawn toward's the fridge. Posted on it, in her delicate handwriting it said, 'Dear Kate, sweetheart would you mind watering my flowers for me. It seems I forgot to this morning and I think a mid-afternoon nap seems like a pleasant idea. Thank you, Julia.'

This time, I did feel my knees give way slightly. A few tears trickled down my face but I headed to the backdoor to grab the watering jug. I figured the least I could do was the last thing Mrs. H had ever asked of me...and it was hard to believe that it was.

I filled up the jug, and began to water the plants. It seemed like the flowers were being more so watered by my tears though, cause I didn't seem to be able to stop them now. And once I was done, I headed over to Mrs. H's favorite spot, the bench. To my surprise when I sat down, there was another book there, with a note attached to it as well. 'Caught ya Katie, can't even ask you to water the flowers without needing to take a break. I'm only teasing. I finished this book a few nights ago and I meant to give it to you. I figured you'd find it here. I think you'll like the book, it's about a young women who has to deal with the ups and downs of life. I know you've been having a tough time lately, but I want you to remember how much I love you. And that the ups wouldn't mean as much without having experienced the downs. Everything will turn out okay, trust me. Hope you had fun at the dance. Love Julia.'

I had to smile, because Mrs. H was always right. And if she hadn't been wrong before, then maybe all this made sense. How could we truly appreciate what it is like to be happy, if that's all we ever were? Maybe everything was going to be all right.

It just felt different. My life was changing at such a rapid pace that I'm not sure I could keep up. This house, was the exact way I had left it. But Mrs. Hannigan was gone. How could she leave me? How could she? I knew I was being ridiculous, she couldn't help it. I just didn't understand how some bloody Soc could spend their life without breaking a finger nail, and a greaser could lose everything and be told to suck it up. Why should I have to suck it up? Why couldn't I spend the rest of my days moping around. Life wasn't fair. When had it ever been fair? That it was it though, life wasn't fair. You just have to deal with it. And when I walked back inside the house I knew I had to deal with it. I had to survive the down to make it back up.

When I left Mrs. H's house after a good hour or so, I felt a sense of closure. Something I hadn't had in a really long time.

I was dressed, clean and ready to go by the time Gary had got up. He dropped me off at the hospital on his way to work, just as he promised. Once I was there, I said hello to Lee and Scott and found Mrs. Linder sitting in the waiting room.

"Hey Mrs. L," I said with a smile as a sat down beside her.

"Morning Kate, aren't you a ray of sunshine this morning?"

I laughed quietly, thankfully a shower can do a girl wonders.

"I wanted to lend you this book. I haven't read it yet, but I figured it might... you know, occupy you. I've been told by a good source it's worth the read."

And she simply smiled at me, as I passed her the book Mrs. Hannigan had requested I read. Something told me that it would brighten someone's day, who needed it more then me. All I really needed was that note, which was now carefully folded and placed in my pocket. I gave Mrs. Linder another hug and was about to leave but before I could I had to say something.

"Everything's going to be okay."

And this time I actually believed it.

"I know sweetheart, I know," was her reply.

School, was school. I was use to the whispers, the comments, but they seemed to have no affect on me whatsoever. It didn't matter, I had more important things to be concerned about. As a matter of fact, I only flipped Angela the bird compared to the serious beating I had wanted to give her a few days ago.

At lunch I ate with Ponyboy and his friends, even Mark (who I still hated with a fairly strong passion). Most people still hadn't gotten over the fight. And all the Socs were wondering why Ponyboy was with me again. However, most of the Greasers knew because they had witnessed the serious beating Curly had taken.

Ponyboy leaned over and gave me a kiss on the cheek before he asked, "So how's your day, you know, been so far?"

"Okay," I answered with a smile.

It's not like today was going to go down as my favorite day in history. No, I wouldn't say this was one of my favorite's at all. But it was a day I needed. Probably one I had needed a long, long, long time ago.

Pony seemed a little surprised, despite his best effort to hide it. I'm assuming he had been ready to listen to a serious bitching session or something, and yesterday I'm sure he would have. And likely he would not be accused from future bitching sessions or science lectures and lord knows what else I talk about when I get in that mood. Come to think of it, thank god he loves me.

And fine, I'll admit it. Knowing that Ponyboy loved me still put a giddy smile on my face.

But the most important thing about today was the realization that sure, they may raise us up to watch us fall... but maybe it's to see who is strong enough to get back up and keep on going.

THE END.

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