Disclaimer: I do not own anything that comes from "NDSSG". I want to thank everyone for the feedback to this story, it's been inspiring As for length, expect it to be lengthy, it's the only way I can get my vision out in detail. Thank you so much again for the feedback it's been overwhelming! Enjoy!

Chapter 2: Survival Guide To: Anxiety (similar to stress theory)

"So, what if I said I made a big mistake? And that my goal for the summer is to get you back?" The girl asked timidly.

"I don't know what I'd say… the day you moved, honestly, it felt like you basically took my heart, ripped it out, and threw it in the gutter". The boy answered.

"Well what if I picked it up, washed it off, dried it, and then gave it back to you?" She asked, almost in a pleading way.

"It wouldn't work. Moze already got to that before you did. I'm sorry." He replied.

And with that Suzie Crabgrass woke up startled. Sweat was protruding from her and she felt a twinge of pain in her heart, her stomach felt like it kept dropping lower and lower. She had had this nightmare ever since Ned Bigby, her ex-boyfriend, and Jennifer Mosely, her ex-best friend started going out. Suzie felt betrayed and extremely hurt. She had no idea what was going on with her mind and her emotions. She had been rather moody the moment she came back to James K. Polk. At first she felt the exuberated feeling of being able to graduate with her friends, being with Ned again, possibly picking up their relationship right where they left off. But now those hopes and dreams were crushed. Suzie laid back down in her bed, turning on the lamp on her nightstand to retrieve her cell phone. She opened it up to find that she had a text message. She checked it and saw that it was from Loomer saying, "Sweet dreams, Suzie I can't wait for tomorrow." Suzie smiled slightly and took in a few deep breaths.

"What are you going to do Crabgrass? You're still hung up on this Bigby kid and got yourself into a relationship with someone that you still don't understand." She said quietly to herself.

Suzie sighed and got up from her bed, stretching and preparing to go for a jog. It was the weekend, and being out at 5am in the morning was normal for her at this point. When she was away, she felt so alone and even more desolated from her parents. Suzie's father was so bent on trying to achieve Donald Trump millions, he never wanted his family to fall into a tight spot with financial problems ever again, and her mother was still stuck in a fantasy world of "Dukes of Hazzard". She still couldn't believe that she was close to being named Daisy Crabgrass. Nevertheless, Suzie knew that her parents wanted what was best for her, but how could they not have seen that what was best for her, was to stay at Polk, as she was finally at her prime. She left a note on the kitchen counter for her parents just incase, and situated her ipod arm sweatband to herself. She selected a random file outside of her Mozart folder from ages ago, and chose a song that she hoped would ease her mind. Once she had situated herself in a rhythmic pace, she ran with no inhibitions as to where she was going, how far she would go, and when she would stop. Song after song passed, the minutes stretched and turned into hours. Through the run, she thought of Loomer. He was sweet when he wanted to be, and true she had cut him down and chewed him a part, however in the end, they were both the same. They created these facades to fool people, to prove they were strong, but they both had a whimpering fool hiding beneath it all. Loomer was soft with Suzie, and given she was the only one he trusted, who was a girl anyway. She wanted to believe that things would work out between the both of them, but it couldn't be that way if he still had feelings for…Moze.

"And there she goes, striking out with another beau of mine." Suzie thought frustrated.

Suzie soon found herself running along with the newspaper boy, this was when she knew she had to stop and rest. Breathing heavily she stopped by a nearby curb and rested, relaxing her limbs. The neighborhood she was in appeared to be a roundabout dead end. The houses were amazing, almost eerie at the same time since they all looked alike. She wasn't too familiar with where she was but knew somehow felt at ease. She picked apart at all the thoughts going through her mind that involved Loomer. That could be saved for another day. At that moment she had wished that she carried a water bottle, but swallowed her pride and toughened it out. She was used to it in circumstances such as these. She closed her eyes and propped her head down against her knees, listening carefully to the song coming from her ipod "Feeling A Moment" by Feeder.

How do you feel when there's no sun
And how will you be when the rain clouds come pull you down again
How will you feel when there's no one
Am I just like you

Turning to face what you've become
Bury the ashes of someone
Broken by the strain
Trying to fill that space inside
Am I just like you
All the things you do can't help myself

How do you feel when there's no sun
And how will you be when the rain clouds come pull you down again
How will you feel when there's no one
Am I just like you
All the things you do

Don't ever feel
that you're alone
I'll never let you down
I'll never leave you dry
Don't fall apart
Don't let it go
Carry the motion
Carry the motion back to me

Feeling the moment slip away
Feeling the moment slip away
Cause I'm just like you

[Quick A/N: It's an amazing song, if you download it and listen to it at this particular time, you'll get into it, trust me )

The song hit every nerve of anxiety that Suzie tried to suppress and keep hidden, soon she was over the edge. She thought back to the field trip and thought of her anger. Thought of her envy when she first saw Moze and Ned walking hand and hand together on the bus ride back to James K. Polk. She was hurting more than she would ever admit to herself. She thought of herself standing alone at that Rose Garden, expecting to see Ned or Moze pop up from the rose bush again, but when she saw neither of them, she knew what must have happened and tried to accept the end from there. As much as she wanted to hate him, to be angry, to call him the worst boyfriend ever, she knew Ned wasn't. He was probably one of the best things that had happened to her. As for Moze, Suzie looked through her cell phone, skimming through the contacts, until it ended on "Jennifer Mosely". She was tempted to hit the send button, for the past few days Moze had never failed to call Suzie at night. But those calls went unanswered. In the back of Suzie's mind, she felt that Ned and Moze really had something special all along, she just was too stubborn to admit. But even after all the times she had asked Moze to confess, she remembered Moze would always just tell her abruptly "Don't worry, we're just friends."

"Just friends? What a joke…and to think we were best friends…" Suzie said softly.

Getting up, she tucked her phone away, and began running again, this time to head home, still stuck with her torment.

"Ned sweetheart, Jennifer's here! Are you ready yet?" Mrs. Bigby yelled up the stairs.

"Hold on! I can't find a clean shirt!" Ned yelled back.

"Make sure you find clean underwear too sweetie! I just bleached them again last night so then you don't get that embarrassing-" She began

"MOM, STOP!" He screamed out, slamming the door.

Ned whipped out more post-its from his drawer and scribbled down "Discuss with your parents what's alright to say with company and what's not alright to say, especially when your special someone is in the house! It lessens the blow of anxiety."

When he had finished, he nodded with triumph, "Great tip to add to the theory, now I really just need a clean shirt." He said anxiety building up once again as he rummaged through his unruly, unkempt room.

Downstairs, Mrs. Bigby shook her head and turned to Moze who was seated at the kitchen, enjoying pancakes, freshly made, trying hard not to break out in hysterics.

"Lovely morning." Moze said still straining to contain her laughter.

Mrs. Bigby sighed and continued to cook replying with, "Yes, a very lovely morning, minus my little Neddy, the very lazy procrastination willed son, who needs to hurry up so then we can go prom shopping! Oh Jennifer, you have no idea how excited I am."

"I'm glad Mrs. Bigby, I'm pretty excited too." Moze replied.

"And to think you and Neddy are going as a couple. Oh, I've already discussed it with your mother, we have to take pictures until our cameras break and send copies to all the relatives!" Mrs. Bigby exclaimed.

Moze felt a sudden panic attack rush through her. As thrilled as she was that she was easily accepted in the Bigby family was Ned's girlfriend, she didn't know if she could live with the birth of preplanned prom photos.

"What are you thinking? This could have been worse. You got off easy Moze! You don't have to battle for the acceptance, you've had it since the sandbox days! And now you're freaking out about a measly few photos!?" Moze thought to herself vehemently.

Then Moze had a flash of what it could have ended up being. The photos aligning themselves, shot after shot, and both sides of the family hanging them up in their living rooms explaining to their colleagues the extent of the romance. "Oh, they've known each other since their younger years, we knew this would happen eventually. I'm sure they're falling in love as we speak and eventually they're going to marry, we can feel it." Getting out of the flash of the future, Moze screamed internally, and shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Dating was one thing, but marriage?

"Are you alright Jennifer?" Mrs. Bigby asked worried.

Snapping out of it, she looked up to her and said "Huh? Oh, yeah Mrs. Bigby, I think it's just my stomach acting up a little bit."

"Oh no, I hope it wasn't the pancakes, did I undercook them?" Mrs. Bigby asked.

"No! No, they're fine. You've always been an excellent cook, it's probably just a temporary thing." Moze said smiling slightly.

Mrs. Bigby smiled at her warmly and then looked at her wristwatch. "Ned Bigby! Get down this instant, you have to have breakfast before we leave!"

Soon enough, Ned came down minutes later, slightly disheveled, but at least he had clean clothes on. He ended up picking a pair of blue jeans, a white t-shirt and a red striped over shirt to wear. He messed around with his perfectly messy brown hair, he even managed to flail around in the air trying to get his converse all stars on, checking to make sure he was presentable.

"Hair perfectly messy, check. Fly zipper up, check. Shoelaces tied, check. Breath minty fresh, check." Ned said to himself.

"You look fine. Sit down and eat you dork." Moze said laughing.

Ned walked over to the table and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. They made the standards to never be affectionate whenever a parental unit was in plain sight. As written in the guide, "A peck on the cheek or a simple hug is harmless. It's fine to do in front of any company you don't want to be affectionate around. Hold hands at your own risk" Ned sat down across from Moze and Mrs. Bigby placed a plate of pancakes, eggs, sausage, and bacon in front of him.

"Dig in." Mrs. Bigby said enthusiastically.

"Thanks Mom." Ned said immediately digging in with his fork and knife.

"I don't get it, where does it all go?" Moze said staring at Ned questionably.

"A deep black hole. That's what myself and Mr. Bigby concluded." Mrs. Bigby said half jokingly and half sentimental.

(Quick A/N: I'm about to introduce a version of Mr. Bigby. As Ned never mentions his father in the series, I wanted to use my imagination and write him in, but couldn't see anything quirky just yet. So sorry, if the serious tone is a bit much. Do continue!)

The subject of Ned's dad was a hard one for both herself and Ned. Mr. Bigby was enlisted into the army the day Ned had entered the fourth grade. It had been a hard couple of years for them both having to deal with the fear that he could die over in the war. Every two weeks, they would receive letters from him and trinkets. Recently Ned had received an army dog tag with his fathers name inscribed on one side, the other side said "I'll be home soon Neddy." Ned scarfed down the last bite he had taken and got up from his seat. Suddenly his appetite had lessened, he walked over to his mother and just watched her intensively. She looked down to the counter and braced herself, looking down to her wedding ring, clutching on to the locket Mr. Bigby had given her the day before he had left.

"You alright mom?" Ned asked softly.

Mrs. Bigby took a deep breath and shook her nerves to rid the ongoing anxiety attack she felt just dying to surge through her. "I'll be fine dear. Just have to compose myself. Do you mind cleaning up the kitchen, I'll be ready in a few minutes and we can go." She replied.

Ned just nodded. She looked at her son and cupped his face into hands. She pushed back her perfectly messy but curly brown hair by whipping her head back, and stared into his blue eyes with her equally blue eyes.

"Thank goodness for you Ned." She said.

Mrs. Bigby placed a kiss on his forehead, took off the apron she was wearing and heading up the stairs calming herself. Ned stood in his place for a few moments, until he scrounged through his pockets getting out the tiny post it notes. "Sometimes the best way to deal with anxiety is to just take a few moments to yourself. And if not, a helping hand goes a long way." He tucked the post it away back into his pocket, and turned back to look over at the kitchen table. Moze was no longer sitting there, and the table was clear. He heard running water coming from the other section of the kitchen, in the pantry room. He opened the door and saw Moze washing up the plates and placing them in the dish holder.

"Hey." He said.

"Hey you." She said, looking over to him smiling.

"You don't have to do that you know." He said trying to pry the dishes from her hands.

Moze stopped him, pushed him away, and finished up the last of the plates. "I know I don't have to, but I wanted to. You guys were having a moment. It's the least I can do." She replied.

Moze dried her hands and together they walked out of the pantry. Moze knew how to handle herself when situations like this occurred. She gave Ned the space he needed and eventually normal conversation would pick up. But that was back when they were just best friends. As the best friend she was just the shoulder he could lean on, and now as his girlfriend, she didn't know what his next motive of action was. She felt scared that she didn't know what to do next. Until, Ned just leaned himself onto her shoulder, processing a few thoughts in his mind. He then looked up into her big brown eyes. She smiled at him warmly and from there he felt a warmth in his heart. He placed his hands on her face and grazed his fingers on her face. He nudged himself against her pressing his forehead against hers, both of them closing their eyes.

"Feeling better?" She asked softly.

"Much better." He replied softly. "Thank goodness for you."

Pulling away, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her lightly on the lips.

"What are best friends for right?" She said.

"Basically everything that you stand for." He replied moving her hair back over her shoulders.

A few minutes later, Mrs. Bigby came down the stairs, keys in hand ready to go shopping. The mood had picked up and soon they were joking around once again. Mrs. Bigby had told Ned about the picture plan and he had gotten just as uncomfortable as Moze had. Ned had never actually met many of Moze's relatives other than her parents and maybe a few aunts and uncles. Whereas Moze almost knew Ned's entire family tree, at least the family members who were alive and well any way. The Bigby's were incredibly big on family reunions. Once in a while Moze and Cookie would be invited to save Ned's sanity against them. Cookie was always known to them as the computer whiz that Ned should have been more like to receive millions like Bill Gates someday, and Moze was the definition of girl next door with the tom boy streak, complete Bigby material in their eyes. With their relationship blossoming, Ned could only imagine the catastrophic situations that could happen now that Moze was his girlfriend. Getting to the mall Ned, Moze, and Mrs. Bigby walked into "After-hours Formalwear" to pick out the perfect fit tuxedo for Ned.

"Oh with you sprouting up a foot and a few inches, we don't have to mend your pants anymore!" Mrs. Bigby said.

Ned sighed exasperated and followed Mrs. Bigby around the store, holding tightly onto Moze's hand.

"Jennifer, what color is dress?" Mrs. Bigby asked.

"Red." Moze answered.

"A deep crimson red or a bright fire engine red?" She asked.

"It's a pretty bright red. Made out of satin and silk." She replied.

"Really now? That must be extremely elegant." She said.

"Oh it is. My mom actually got it at "Lord And Taylor". It's gorgeous." She said feeling excitement.

Ned could feel how Moze had seemed to let loose and this put him in better spirits. He let go of Moze's hand and let her venture off with his mom. Pulling out the trusty post-it once again "The best anxiety killer is knowing the person you're feeling it towards is relaxed. Follow them and have the same attitude" Mrs. Bigby looked over to Ned scribbling away shaking her head.

"Oh Ned, please I thought we were going to relax on getting tips for the guide today." She said.

"Sorry Mom, but with life comes trouble and with trouble I come with tips and advice to squash it." Ned said almost heroically.

Moze rolled her eyes and pushed some clothing over to Ned. "Here, try these on."

Moze and Mrs. Bigby ended up choosing three contenders for Ned to try on. And formulating in Ned's mind was the perfect plan to add what he had in store for Moze the following week at prom.

"Hey mom?" Ned yelled outside of the dressing room.

"Yes honey?" Mrs. Bigby said.

"You wanna come in and see how this looks? I think I like it." Ned said, checking himself out in the mirror.

"Sure honey." Mrs. Bigby said.

"Oh well, while you're in there, do mind if I just head out of here to another store? I wanted to pick up some jewelry to go with the dress." Moze asked.

"Not at all Jennifer. I'll tell Ned. Just meet us at the food court when you're done." Mrs. Bigby said.

Moze agreed and went on her way. She wanted to find the best suiting jewelry that wasn't too girly, but not too butch. Yet everything she saw was either too flashy, too trashy, or just way never should be worn ever again. Defeated she walked over to the railing that showed below the floors that she could explore for more places. She headed over to the escalator, hands in her pockets, she couldn't help but feel troubled, as if she were being watched. As she boarded on, she felt a weight of pressure behind her stepping on. Turning back, hoping to see just a stranger, she heard "Thought you could get rid of me didn't you…"

Ouch cliffhanger on chapter 2. Remember to review don't hesitate! If there are any pairings or things to survive you want to read about, tell me! I'll write it. And chapter 3 will be up in no time.