"Donna! Midge, she's gone! She left for California" Bob wept.

That sentence played over and over in the devastated redheads mind. When Donna woke this morning, she expected it to be like any other day. She expected to walk into her kitchen, to see her mom and dad fighting about who knows what. It was always something different. So in hindsight Donna should have seen this coming. For a while now, her mom has been saying "I'm unhappy and going to leave" But out of naivety, Donna had not taken her mom seriously. Out of hope that it was just an empty threat to get her dad to change.

But now she knows it wasn't an empty threat. Her mom was serious. Who would have thought? Donna wondered what was the trigger that finally made her mom leave for good. Donna wasn't sure if she wanted the answer to that question. What would it matter anyways? Bob and Midge were never going to work it out. They are just too different from each other. On the one hand, Donna's happy that her mom got the courage to leave. But on the other hand, Donna was furious, too. How could her mom just leave her, without saying goodbye?

Yeah, she totally gets not saying goodbye to her dad, but wouldn't a mother leaving her family, at least want to say goodbye to her only daughter? I guess not. Did she mean that little to Midge? Maybe they could have gone to California together; it's not like Donna had anything for her in Point Place. She's not dating Eric anymore. So what's the point of saying in a rinky dink, town that has nothing to offer?

What's worse now is the pity; people were going to feel for her. Donna didn't want their pity; it was insulting. And it wouldn't bring her mom back. Though Donna was grateful that Kitty was thoughtful enough to bring over food for her and Bob. It didn't make her feel any better. Donna's whole body felt numb and lifeless; it was as if her heart had been ripped from her chest. This is so much worse than Eric breaking up with her.

Speaking of Eric, Donna wondered if he knew yet. She wondered if he even cared. Ever since the break up, they haven't spoken much to each other one-on-one. Donna would be lying if she said she didn't miss their friendship. But it's too late now. Whilst they were both civil to each other, while around their friends. Whatever friendship they ever had was nonexistent.

Lost in her thoughts, she quickly snapped out of it when she heard the kitchen door open. Donna lifted her head to see who was there. It was Eric. He walked through the door, holding a big bowl of what was probably a casserole.

"Hey" Eric walked into the kitchen ,holding the casserole kitty made him bring.

"Hey" Donna replied.

"So… Hey, look, I'm really sorry about your mom. And, uh… I mean… Are you okay?" Eric asked awkwardly.

"I don't know. It's weird," Donna mumbled.

"Yeah, well, you know, it won't make you feel any better, but for some reason I brought you a casserole. I mean, why is it that every time something bad happens, grownups always think you need food? You know? You lost your job? Congratulations, you got a bucket of chicken!" Eric babbled on "I mean, the last thing you want is to…"

Before Eric could finish his sentence, Donna grabbed the back of his neck and kissed him. Just for a moment, Eric eased into the kiss, but quickly snapped out of it.

"Donna, what are you doing?" Eric asked, bewildered.

"What's it look like? Donna tried to kiss him again.

Eric pushed her away "Donna, stop. I'm not going to do this with you"

"Why the hell not?"

"Because you're not thinking straight. And want to use sex to numb the pain" Eric concluded.

"Wow, look at you. Taking the moral high ground" she spoke with sarcasm "Why do you even care?" Donna snapped

"Because Donna, I still care about you. And I don't want to take advantage of you, when you're in a weak spot" Eric explained.

"Weak?" Donna growled "You think I'm weak?"

"No, that's not what I meant!" Eric, insisted.

"You know what Eric? Tell your mom thanks for the food, and get the hell out of my house" Donna demanded, getting up from the chair, storming out of the kitchen.

Eric didn't immediately follow his ex to the other room. He wasn't sure if he should go like Donna ordered him to. Or stay. Debating on what to do, Eric evidently decided to stay, following Donna to her parents room.

"Didn't I tell you to leave," Donna said, while folding a bunch of clothes.

"You did. But I'm not leaving you like this" Eric said, crossing his arms.

Donna laughed bitterly, rolling her eyes "stop pretending like you care"

"I'm not pretending!" Eric Exclaimed, throwing his arms in the air "What are you even doing?" Eric commented, noticing the big pile of clothes on the bed.

"What's it look like? I'm packing my mom's things" Donna answered.

Eric had a look of sympathy on his face "Donna, you don't have to do this right now"

"Yeah, I do. If I don't do it now, I'll go crazy" Donna put at least five of her mom shirts on the box.

Eric looked down at the floor before speaking again "I can help if you want" Eric grabbed a piece of Midge's clothing, only for Donna to smack his hand away.

"I don't need your help. I can do it by myself" Donna hissed.

Eric let out a deep breath "Donna stop the act"

"What act?"

"This tough girl act. It doesn't work on me"

"You know what? Fine!" Donna shouted, breaking down "you want to know how I feel?"

'Yes" Eric nodded

"I feel like crap" Donna said, sitting at the edge of her parents bed " I feel abandoned. I feel completely worthless. How could she do that to me?" Donna sobbed "What did I do to deserve this?" She wiped her tears away

Eric sat next to Donna, gently rubbing her shoulder "Nothing Donna, nothing. Your mom was unhappy with your dad, It as nothing to do with you"

"Then why didn't she say goodbye? Why didn't she take me with her?" Donna questioned.

Would you have gone with her?" Eric asked

"Maybe I don't know. I just" Donna cleared the lump forming in her throat "Maybe California would have been a fresh start"

"Why do you need a fresh start?"

Donna looked down at the ground not meeting Eric's gaze "I don't feel like I belong here anymore" She admitted "Things feel different"

Eric furrowed his eyebrows "Different? Different how?"

"Do you really need an explanation?" Donna said, finally looking Eric in the eye "Ever since we broke up, things haven't been the same. Not with school, not with our friends, not with anything"

"So you need to leave because of me?" Eric frowned.

"No!God no!" Donna quickly replied. It's much more than that, ok" Donna tried to reassure Eric.

"Ok" Eric decided not to push her any further "Donna, I know, were not as close anymore, but I'm here if you ever want to talk"

"You really mean that?" Donna asked, with uncertainty in her voice.

"I am a man of my word, '' Eric half joked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Yeah, Ok dork" Donna playfully pushed Eric's head away.

"But seriously, Donna, you're going to make it through this. I'll make sure of it"

A smile formed on Donna's lips "You know something Eric? I think I would like some help packing my mom's things"