I'm a senior now. I enlisted back into the public high school and I still have one more year left.

Sigh.

Bob was a senior, as well, before he was killed.

Cherry said that I shouldn't hold a grudge. Deep down, I know that she is right. What Bob did wasn't right, and Johnny was only acting in self-defense. But how would you feel when your favorite family member was knifed in the stomach and left for dead?

"Ashley Ford?"

I was pulled out of my thoughts when my attendance was taken.

"Present."

I took a quick survey of the room, looking for people I recognized. My eyes fell on him last. He was unmistakable, even more so now than ever. I was told that after he went into hiding, Johnny Cade rushed into a burning church to save some small children. A lit beam fell on top of him. Initially, they thought his back was broken but he regained use of everything. Unfortunately, though, he carries with him skin grafts from being severely burned. He still has a long road to walk in terms of recovery.

I guess he's suffered enough.

Really, it's a miracle he's even back in school already. I guess it pays to have friends like Dallas on your side.

My first day back was relatively painless.

People definitely recognized the name. It was harder to recognize the girl, though.

After school, I tossed my backpack into my blue Mustang. It was his gift to me. At least I still have a small piece of him left. I ran my hand over the smooth metal. It was warm to the touch. I smiled, longingly.

After a few more days of driving back and forth to school, I stopped in at Soda's gas station again. Of course, I could go to one less out-of-the-way, but what fun is there in that?

This time, Sandy was not glued to his hip.

He made his way out to me, recognition in his face as he took in the car. I got out of the driver's side and noticed the sullen look on his face.

"I know you, don't I?" he asked me, wiping his hands on a dirty rag hanging from his pocket. My eyes widened behind the glasses and an obvious look of surprise spread across my face.

"You're her, aren't you?"

"I…"

"Ashley, what are you doing here?"

I froze. He actually did remember me. I mean, I knew he would remember what happened. I didn't know what I was thinking.

"I just thought I'd stop in and say hello, now that I am back in town."

He didn't smile. He filled my tank, silently, and as I handed my money over to him, he grabbed ahold of my hand, roughly.

"I don't think you should show your face in this part of town anymore."

"But I…"

"Please, just go."

Damn.

I dropped back into my car and drove off.

"I blew it," I muttered to myself.

If only I had any idea of what my future held.